"A judge in the United Kingdom has recommended the extradition of a private investigator to the United States whom the Justice Department accuses of leading a hacking operation that targeted American climate activists.
The hacking was allegedly commissioned by a Washington, D.C., lobbying and consulting firm that worked for a major oil and gas company in Texas, according to an indictment the Justice Department filed in the UK as part of its extradition request. A federal prosecutor said in an affidavit that the goal was to discredit groups and individuals involved in climate-change litigation in the U.S.
The Justice Department has charged the private investigator, an Israeli named Amit Forlit, with conspiracy to commit computer hacking, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Forlit has previously denied ordering or paying for hacking.
Forlit has two weeks to appeal the ruling."
Michael Copley and Russell Newlove report for NPR April 30, 2025.
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