The Forgotten: An Analysis of Victim Testimony in a Federal Environmental Crime Case

• In Event: State and Corporate Environmental Crime Victimization

Abstract

Although environmental crime and green criminology research have increased in recent years, we have a limited understanding of environmental victimization from the perspective of the victims themselves. This paper analyzes victim testimony during the sentencing phase of a federal environmental crime case involving violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA), the United States v. CITGO. Prior to sentencing, close to 1,000 fenceline community members petitioned the court to be declared victims of CITGO’s crimes under the federal Crime Victim’s Rights Act (CVRA). The District Court granted the petitioners’ victim status after a long court battle involving an appeal to the Fifth Circuit years prior. In this paper, we utilize content analysis of five days of victims’ testimony from the sentencing phase of the case. Our analysis provides preliminary insight into how environmental victims perceive their victim status, power relationships in the community, and the role of government in allowing their victimization.

Authors

• Melissa Jarrell, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

• Joshua Ozymy, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi