...The oil company said it's the victim of a vast "conspiracy," brought on by multiple cities and counties in California.

...In a court filing in Texas on Monday, Exxon argued that these California cities and counties have contradicted themselves by admitting in bond sales that climate change risks are unpredictable...Exxon said that while these cities and townswarned that "imminent sea level rise presented a substantial threat to its jurisdiction...none of the municipalities disclosed to investors such risks."

...In the court filing, Exxon requested permission to investigate potential "abuse of process" and "civil conspiracy" by deposing 16 individuals, including city officials from Oakland and San Francisco who are leading the lawsuit against the company.

...Exxon paints itself as a victim of "abusive law enforcement tactics and litigation" by those trying to achieve "political objectives."...adding that Exxon has reason to believe local municipal officials could "conceal and potentially even destroy evidence."

...Exxon has faced renewed pressure over climate change following the release of a recent Harvard study that concluded the company "misled the public.