"The federal judge called Exxon's claim that its free speech rights were being violated by the state investigations 'a wild stretch of logic."

"With a sharp rebuke, a federal judge rejected Exxon's attempt to shut down two state investigations into whether the oil giant misled investors for years about the risks of climate change.

U.S. District Court Judge Valerie A. Caproni dismissed Exxon's complaint with prejudice, meaning the company can't refile.

In the first line of her ruling, the judge describe Exxon's actions as "running roughshod over the adage that the best defense is a good offense.""

John H. Cushman Jr. and David Hasemyer report for InsideClimate News March 29, 2018. [2]