Attorney General James Uthmeier Launches Investigation into Environmental Law Institute

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a subpoena to the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and its Climate Judiciary Project (CJP) as part of an investigation into suspicions that ELI has violated Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

“The Climate Cartel is trying to hijack our judicial system to accomplish their net-zero carbon agenda,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “But the Courts are not the place to push policy, let alone policy that can’t win at the ballot box. We are going to protect the integrity of our court system and hold anyone who is trying to deceive Floridians—especially its judiciary—accountable.”

The subpoena seeks documents and communications relating to ELI and CJP’s funding sources, its interactions with Florida judges, and its involvement with climate-related litigation.

The subpoena demands the provision of records including:

• Documents relating to interactions with Florida judges, including representations made to convince Florida judges to attend trainings, seminars, conferences, etc.
• Communications regarding fundraising with individuals in Florida
• Records regarding funding sources 
• Communications between ELI/CJP and major climate activists
• Communications and documents relating to ELI/CJP’s involvement with climate plaintiff funders

To read the full subpoena, click here.

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