Citgo controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2024
Former executives' detention-related lawsuit
Two former Citgo executives sued the company, alleging that Citgo failed to protect them and contributed to harms associated with their imprisonment in Venezuela.
2021
Citgo reaches settlement over 2006 Louisiana oil spill
Settlement
The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Citgo would pay $19.7 million in a settlement concerning a 2006 oil spill in Louisiana. The United States and Louisiana had sued the company for natural-resource damages.
Company response
Remediation — Citgo
In a statement, Citgo said it was "pleased to reach this voluntary settlement" and to provide $19.16 million to fund the environmental restoration planning and projects.
Source excerpt
Citgo Petroleum Corp. will pay $19.7 million for a 2006 spill in Louisiana, the Department of Justice announced Thursday.
In a statement, Citgo said it was "pleased to reach this voluntary settlement" and to provide $19.16 million to fund the environmental restoration planning and projects.
Approximately 150 miles of shoreline were polluted by the incident, including residential and marsh areas, and forced the ship channel to close. Birds, fish and other aquatic life were killed by the oil discharge.
2020
Citgo sues Petroleum Logistics Service over alleged fraud
Lawsuit filed
Citgo filed a federal lawsuit against former contractor Petroleum Logistics Service Corp., seeking damages and alleging that it provided gifts to Citgo executives in exchange for inflated-price contracts. The lawsuit alleges Citgo lost millions of dollars.
Stated objective. recover millions of dollars in damages
Source excerpt
The latest came Tuesday, when the Guaidó-appointed board of Citgo, the U.S. subsidiary of Venezuela's state oil company, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Houston against a former contractor seeking to recover millions of dollars in damages.
The lawsuit accuses José Manuel González and his Miami-based Petroleum Logistics Service Corp. of providing gifts including cash, jewelry, private artwork, chartered flights and even a handpicked Houston apartment to senior executives at Citgo.
In exchange, officials paid González $20 million between 2014 and 2018 to provide goods and services to Citgo's parent company, PDVSA, at inflated prices.
2020
Citgo sues former contractor over alleged Venezuela-related fraud
Lawsuit filed
Citgo's board filed a federal lawsuit in Houston against former contractor José Manuel González and his company, alleging that they provided gifts to Citgo executives in exchange for inflated-price contracts. The lawsuit alleges Citgo lost millions of dollars.
Stated objective. To recover millions of dollars in damages
Source excerpt
The latest came Tuesday, when the Guaidó-appointed board of Citgo, the U.S. subsidiary of Venezuela’s state oil company, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Houston against a former contractor seeking to recover millions of dollars in damages.
The lawsuit accuses José Manuel González and his Miami-based Petroleum Logistics Service Corp. of providing gifts including cash, jewelry, private artwork, chartered flights and even a handpicked Houston apartment to senior executives at Citgo. In exchange, officials paid González $20 million between 2014 and 2018 to provide goods and services to Citgo’s parent company, PDVSA, at inflated prices.
“Citgo lost millions of dollars as a result,” the lawsuit alleges.
2017
Citgo Six detention
Six Citgo executives were arrested in Venezuela during a meeting at PDVSA headquarters. Their prolonged detention without a completed trial generated sustained criticism from the U.S. government and became a major diplomatic dispute.
2016
Rosneft collateral arrangement
Venezuela pledged 49.9 percent of Citgo to Rosneft as collateral for financing. U.S. lawmakers from both major parties raised concerns that a Russian state-linked company could eventually gain influence over a strategically important U.S. refining business.