The stigma of 'cause celeb' and using her influence to make noise for an eco-propaganda has struck Mia Farrow recently as she received media lashings of being paid $188,000 to hype the Ecuador government's decades-old case on oil pollution against Chevron Oil Co. Aside from criticism, an investigation of fraudulent charges has been set by US courts regarding the case dubbed as the largest civil penalty in history.
('Cause celeb' refers to celebrities endorsing causes without checking its legitimacy in order to seek publicity or payment.)
It was reported by Investors Business Daily that Farrow was paid the handsome amount to visit Ecuador this year for a photo opportunity. The photo showed Farrow holding up her oil-drenched hand "to show her support to indigenous people." The junket was part of a campaign to drumbeat the Ecuadorian court ruling ordering Chevron Oil Company to pay $9.5 billion as compensation to clear the jungles of Ecuador from oil pollution.
The photo was well-received by Ecuador President Raphael Correa and lavished Farrow with praises, "Isn't Mia lovely . . . what modesty and what solidarity. Thank you, Mia!" This was further magnified in the country's top daily, commenting on Farrow's "altruistic personality," and being "one of the most influential people in the world."
Fraudulent shades of the case, however, surfaced months ago masterminded allegedly by Manhattan-based attorney Steven Donziger. According to New York courts, bribery was applied in the case with technical experts and judges in Ecuador in the receiving end. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) laws, normally used against organized crime, will be applied to Donziger and his associates by the US courts.
Farrows, who is active in social media, previously admitted to the payment in a Tweet. Said tweet has been deleted after getting bombardment of disdain. She has also refused to respond questions regarding the scandal.
Aside from Mia Farrows, Danny Glover and Darryl Hannah also participated in the eco-propaganda.
