Crime | Ecuador Chevron Appeals Massive Amazon Pollution Fine Oil company claims indigenous supporters 'corrupted' trial By Mary Papenfuss Posted Mar 14, 2011 1:42 AM CDT Copied A leader of the Amazon Defense Coalition and a plaintiff lawyer attend a press conference last month in Quito, Ecuador, hailing the massive fine against Chevron for pollution. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa) Chevron has launched an appeal challenging a whopping $9.5 billion penalty for polluting much of Ecuador's Amazon region. Company attorneys are accusing lawyers and supporters of the indigenous groups who brought the suit against Chevron of "corrupting" the trial, and claims that the finding against the corporation is filled with "numerous legal and factual defects," reports the BBC. Texaco, which merged with Chevron 10 years ago, was found liable for dumping 18 billion gallons of toxins into the Amazon river basin. Crops failed, animals were killed and cancer increased among residents, the suit against Chevron charged. The corporation has filed its appeal in an Ecuador court, but also plans to challenge the decision in US courts and at an international tribunal. Read These Next White House makes Hegseth put his polygraph away. A new book argues the Sacagawea legend is all wrong. The NFL's heaviest player told to slim down. US denies visas to Venezuelan team bound for Little League tournament. Report an error