ExxonMobil, Acuity Remove South Carolina Benzene Complaint, Cite Fraudulent Joinder

COLUMBIA, S.C. –– Defendants ExxonMobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) and Acuity Specialty Products Group Inc. have removed a South Carolina benzene lawsuit, contending that one of the local defendants was fraudulently joined.

The removal notice was filed Feb. 15 in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina and additionally contends that the same local defendant was never served with a copy of the summons and lawsuit.

The claims were filed on behalf of Philip Boykin, who worked as a motorcycle mechanic and technician for nearly 30 years. During this time, Boykin worked with petroleum-based products that contained benzene, …