Plaquemines Parish seeks billions in case against Texaco

POINTE À LA HACHE, La. (WGNO) — A landmark trial is underway in Plaquemines Parish, and billions of dollars are at stake.

Texaco, the American oil brand owned by Chevron, is being accused of releasing pollutants into the wetlands near Bayou Gentilly more than 50 years ago, and Plaquemines Parish is seeking $3 billion to pay for the damage.

The trial taking place at the Plaquemines Parish Courthouse in Pointe à la Hache is expected to be the first of many.

“Whatever the result is, whether it’s for the plaintiffs or the defendant, may foreshadow what’s going to happen with the other 40 cases,” said WGNO legal analyst Cliff Cardone.

On Monday, attorney John Carmouche, who’s representing Plaquemines Parish, called one of his witnesses to the stand, an engineering expert with the American Petroleum Institute. He had been hired by Carmouche ten years prior to look into Texaco’s operations.

According to his testimony, Texaco’s disposal practices were not compliant with the rules set forth by the Stream Control Commission.

Texaco has maintained its compliance.

“You have to think about if there were permits that were needed, who’s asleep at the wheel here?” Cardone said. “So, you have to wonder, is there any other entity that may be at fault for failing to do what they should have done?”

Cardone suspects the defense will argue that the discharge of pollutants was caused by levee failures.

“I would think if I were a defendant, I’m going to be bringing in other parties that may be at fault or caused or contributed to this situation,” explained Cardone.

If the plaintiffs are successful, Cardone says the outcome could be similar to the BP oil spill settlements.

“This could be in the multiple billions of dollars to the plaintiffs,” said Cardone.

The trial will resume Tuesday and is expected to last several weeks.

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