I think the fraud claim comes from the fact that Exxon Mobil was publicly arguing against the idea of man-made global warming and yet there are internal documents that have been uncovered that prove that they did not believe what they were saying.   They believed in man-made global warming all along, in spite of the fact that they were publicly denying it.  

 

Whether this constitutes fraud, and whether there is any action or punishment that can be taken, is a question that can only be decided by the courts.  

 

It's not "global warming skepticism" that is the issue.   The issue is saying one thing, while believing another, and doing it for financial gain (in this case so they can keep selling oil).  

 

I kind of doubt there's anything that can be done about it.  

 

It's an interesting question.   If the cigarette companies were denying that smoking causes lung cancer at the same time they knew that it did, is that fraud?   If so, can you bring a case against them?  

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