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The government awards contracts to companies with histories of misconduct such as contract fraud and environmental, ethics, and labor violations. In the absence of a centralized federal database listing instances of misconduct, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is providing such data. We believe that it will lead to improved contracting decisions and public access to information about how the government spends hundreds of billions of taxpayer money each year on goods and services. Report an instance of misconduct »

Exxon Mobil

Violation of Migratory Bird Protection Law

Date: 08/13/2009 (Date of Announcement)

Misconduct Type: Environment

Enforcement Agency: Justice

Contracting Party: None

Court Type: Criminal

Amount: $600,250

Disposition: Pleaded Guilty

Synopsis: The U.S. government charged Exxon Mobil with violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The charges involve the deaths of approximately 85 protected birds at Exxon drilling and production facilities in Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas between 2004 and 2009. The government alleged that most of the birds died after exposure to hydrocarbons in uncovered natural gas well reserve pits and waste water storage facilities. Exxon agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor violations of the law. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Exxon will be sentenced to three years of probation (during which Exxon must implement an environmental compliance plan designed to keep birds from coming into contact with contaminated waters at its facilities in the five affected states), pay a criminal fine of $400,000 (to be deposited into the federally-administered North American Wetlands Conservation Fund), make $200,000 in community service payments, and pay a $250 special assessment.