On April 19, 2016, Attorney General Healey opened an investigation by issuing a civil investigative demand to Exxon Mobil Corporation concerning potential violations of the Massachusetts consumer protection statute, M.G.L. c. 93A, Section 2, and its implementing regulations, arising both from Exxon's (1) marketing and/or sale of energy and other fossil fuel derived products to consumers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and (2) the marketing and/or sale of securities, as defined in M.G.L. c. 110A, Section 401(k), to investors in the Commonwealth. Specifically, the investigation seeks information regarding whether Exxon may have misled consumers and/or investors with respect to the impact of fossil fuels on climate change, and climate change-driven risks to Exxon's business.
AG Healey sued ExxonMobil on October 24, 2019 for deceptive advertising to Massachusetts consumers and for misleading Massachusetts investors about the risks to Exxon’s business posed by fossil fuel-driven climate change—including systemic financial risk.