A congressional investigation has uncovered that Sher Edling, a California law firm, received substantial dark money contributions to support climate lawsuits against the oil industry. According to a report, the firm received more than $3 million in unreported funds from shadowy organizations, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in political funding.
The investigation revealed that Sher Edling received $2.9 million from the Collective Action Fund for Accountability in 2023. This organization is part of the New Venture Fund, which operates as a dark money group, enabling it to avoid disclosing its donors until the next IRS filing deadline. Additionally, the firm received a previously unreported $235,000 from the Tides Foundation, known for its substantial financial support of progressive causes.
Since its inception in 2016, Sher Edling has specialized in lawsuits aimed at holding the oil and gas industry accountable for climate change. These cases argue that fossil fuel companies are responsible for global warming and related extreme weather events. Critics assert that these lawsuits are more about bankrupting oil companies than protecting the environment.
The funding mechanisms of these organizations have come under scrutiny, with the report highlighting a total of nearly $14 million raised by Sher Edling from dark money sources since 2017. Notably, some of this funding can be traced back to prominent foundations, including the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.