CITGO Removes Benzene Suit to Federal Court, Cites Complete Diversity, Amount in Controversy

LAKE CHARLES, La. –– Defendants named in a Louisiana benzene suit have removed the complaint to federal court, arguing that diversity jurisdiction exists and, additionally, that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.

In its removal notice –– filed Dec. 12 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana –– defendant CITGO Petroleum Corp. says that all of the defendants in the action are citizens of other states and foreign to Louisiana.

Wiley Ruben Burns Jr. originally filed his complaint in the Louisiana 14th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Calcasieu, contending that his exposure to benzene-containing …