Phil Mattera
@philmattera.bsky.social
Project Director for Violation Tracker, Violation Tracker Global and Violation Tracker UK at Good Jobs First. Author of the Dirt Diggers Digest, a weekly Substack/blog.
The latest list of the biggest corporate greenhouse gas emitters is dominated by companies that also have plenty of other stains on their record. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7931
The Other Sins of the Big Greenhouse Gas Emitters
As the COP30 climate talks take place in Brazil, the Political Economy Research Institute of the University of Massachusetts Amherst has just published its latest list of the corporations that contrib...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:22 PM
The latest list of the biggest corporate greenhouse gas emitters is dominated by companies that also have plenty of other stains on their record. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7931
A MAGA-friendly appellate court judge is seeking to block whistleblowers from filing False Claims Act lawsuits exposing fraud by federal contractors. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7924
Taking Aim at Whistleblowers
Everyone in the Trump Administration seems hellbent on giving the president as much power as possible over nearly everything. Congressional Republicans are playing along.
Things are less clear in t...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
November 6, 2025 at 1:59 PM
A MAGA-friendly appellate court judge is seeking to block whistleblowers from filing False Claims Act lawsuits exposing fraud by federal contractors. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7924
The latest update to Violation Tracker Global includes a $1 billion fine imposed on ENI and other motor fuel companies for colluding on prices and a fine brought by Brazil's Public Ministry of Labor against JBS for failing to provide heat breaks for workers. violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
Violation Tracker Global
Violation Tracker Global, produced by the Corporate Research Project of Good Jobs First, is a wide-ranging database on misconduct by large corporations throughout the world.
violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The latest update to Violation Tracker Global includes a $1 billion fine imposed on ENI and other motor fuel companies for colluding on prices and a fine brought by Brazil's Public Ministry of Labor against JBS for failing to provide heat breaks for workers. violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
ExxonMobil no longer denies the reality of climate change, but it doesn't want to admit it has played a major role in causing the problem. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7919
A New Climate Denialism?
For decades, federal and state laws have required corporations to disclose information about their activities that affect the public. ExxonMobil is now asking a federal court to allow it to ignore one...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:39 PM
ExxonMobil no longer denies the reality of climate change, but it doesn't want to admit it has played a major role in causing the problem. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7919
A federal jury's $20 million award to several victims of the genocidal practices of the regime of Omar al-Bashir in the Darfur region of Sudan could lead to the payment of billions in damages by banks that did business with that regime. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7911
Banking and Genocide
Banks try to disavow responsibility for the misconduct of their clients, but that position has suffered a serious setback in a court in New York. A federal jury has just returned what is being called ...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
October 23, 2025 at 1:22 PM
A federal jury's $20 million award to several victims of the genocidal practices of the regime of Omar al-Bashir in the Darfur region of Sudan could lead to the payment of billions in damages by banks that did business with that regime. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7911
ExxonMobil is leading a big business effort to weaken shareholder activism and consolidate the power of management. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7904
Exxon’s Bogus Shareholder Democracy
When thinking of the leading proponents of democracy, ExxonMobil is not a name that comes to mind. Yet the oil giant is using the rhetoric of democracy to promote a plan that will actually consolidate...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
October 16, 2025 at 1:10 PM
ExxonMobil is leading a big business effort to weaken shareholder activism and consolidate the power of management. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7904
Larry and David Ellison are parlaying their Trump ties to create an enormous media empire that could serve as a MAGA megaphone. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7898
The Ellisons Prosper by Aligning with Trump
Numerous rich people are getting richer thanks to their connections to Donald Trump, but perhaps no one has gained as much as Larry Ellison and his son David. They control what is becoming one of the ...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
October 9, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Larry and David Ellison are parlaying their Trump ties to create an enormous media empire that could serve as a MAGA megaphone. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7898
Unlike the rest of the Trump Administration, the Federal Trade Commission has continued to go after corporate abuses. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7895
The FTC Bucks the MAGA Anti-Regulatory Crusade
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is in limbo. The Environmental Protection Agency has been turned into a fossil fuel cheerleader. The Securities and Exchange Commission has drastically scaled ...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
October 2, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Unlike the rest of the Trump Administration, the Federal Trade Commission has continued to go after corporate abuses. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7895
The latest update to Violation Tracker Global includes a $3 billion fine against Google by the EU for anti-competitive ad practices and a $30 million fine against VW in Brazil for allowing slave-like labor conditions at a cattle ranch it used to own. violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
September 29, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The latest update to Violation Tracker Global includes a $3 billion fine against Google by the EU for anti-competitive ad practices and a $30 million fine against VW in Brazil for allowing slave-like labor conditions at a cattle ranch it used to own. violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
There may or may not be a link between Tylenol and autism, but a reliable answer won't come from the White House. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7889
Dr. Trump’s Dubious Medical Advice
Among the many unusual things Donald Trump has done in recent days is to make us feel some sympathy for a major drug company. Kenvue Inc., producer of Tylenol, had to stand by and watch as Trump used ...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
September 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
There may or may not be a link between Tylenol and autism, but a reliable answer won't come from the White House. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7889
Texas is obsessed with stamping out what remains of DEI and ESG in the corporate world. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7885
Another Anti-Woke Charade
For the vast majority of the U.S. population not involved in shareholder activism, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. and Glass Lewis & Co. are far from household names. Yet these two firms domin...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
September 18, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Texas is obsessed with stamping out what remains of DEI and ESG in the corporate world. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7885
The Trump-JFK Jr. move against deceptive drug ads sounds good, but it is unclear it will amount to anything. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7880
Tough Talk on Deceptive Drug Ads
With the announcement of a crackdown on deceptive advertising by pharmaceutical companies, RFK Jr. is once again showing that he may not be a complete crackpot. At his apparent direction, the Food and...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
September 11, 2025 at 1:04 PM
The Trump-JFK Jr. move against deceptive drug ads sounds good, but it is unclear it will amount to anything. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7880
Trump Administration policies are not consistently pro-business or pro-worker, but they always work to the benefit of the Trump family. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7875
Serving One Special Interest
Presidential administrations usually lean in one of two directions: they tend to be more pro-business or more pro-labor. Some will emphasize deregulation, free trade, and corporate tax breaks. Others ...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
September 4, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Trump Administration policies are not consistently pro-business or pro-worker, but they always work to the benefit of the Trump family. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7875
The latest update to Violation Tracker Global includes a $330 million settlement by JPMorgan relating to the 1MDB corruption scandal in Malaysia and a $4 million fine paid by Armani in Italy for misleading statements about its social responsibility practices. violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
Violation Tracker Global
Violation Tracker Global, produced by the Corporate Research Project of Good Jobs First, is a wide-ranging database on misconduct by large corporations throughout the world.
violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
August 27, 2025 at 6:59 PM
The latest update to Violation Tracker Global includes a $330 million settlement by JPMorgan relating to the 1MDB corruption scandal in Malaysia and a $4 million fine paid by Armani in Italy for misleading statements about its social responsibility practices. violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
Along with drought in western states and Trump's politically motivated tariffs against Brazil, corporate collusion among the big meat processors has contributed to soaring beef prices. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7869
What’s Behind Rising Beef Prices?
Those who enjoy a breakfast of steak and eggs are feeling better about half of their plate. Egg prices have come down sharply in the past year. But now beef prices are the problem, soaring well beyond...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
August 21, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Along with drought in western states and Trump's politically motivated tariffs against Brazil, corporate collusion among the big meat processors has contributed to soaring beef prices. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7869
As the Trump Administration continues to weaken federal regulatory enforcement, class action lawsuits grow in importance as a way to address corporate abuses. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7866
Private Litigation to the Rescue
It used to be the case that federal prosecutors and regulators were the first to bring action against a corporate abuse, and plaintiff’s lawyers followed that with a class action lawsuit designed to o...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
August 14, 2025 at 1:09 PM
As the Trump Administration continues to weaken federal regulatory enforcement, class action lawsuits grow in importance as a way to address corporate abuses. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7866
Trump's attack on the big banks is actually part of an effort to weaken rules on doing business with sleazy clients. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7861
Debunking Debanking
There are plenty of reasons to be critical of the big banks. They hit customers with illegitimate fees. They misuse personal information. They pay meager interest on savings accounts. They do too litt...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
August 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Trump's attack on the big banks is actually part of an effort to weaken rules on doing business with sleazy clients. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7861
Union Pacific's move to take over Norfolk Southern is a throwback to the monopolistic practices of the 19th century railroad industry. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7857
21st Century Robber Barons
It’s a case of life imitating art imitating life. The announcement that Union Pacific is seeking to acquire Norfolk Southern to create the first coast-to-coast rail network sounds very much like the d...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
July 31, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Union Pacific's move to take over Norfolk Southern is a throwback to the monopolistic practices of the 19th century railroad industry. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7857
The latest update to Violation Tracker Global includes a fine equal to $50 million on Barclays for anti-money laundering deficiencies in the UK and a $47 million penalty against e-commerce giant SHEIN in France for promoting misleading discounts on its site. violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
Violation Tracker Global
Violation Tracker Global, produced by the Corporate Research Project of Good Jobs First, is a wide-ranging database on misconduct by large corporations throughout the world.
violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
July 30, 2025 at 9:27 PM
The latest update to Violation Tracker Global includes a fine equal to $50 million on Barclays for anti-money laundering deficiencies in the UK and a $47 million penalty against e-commerce giant SHEIN in France for promoting misleading discounts on its site. violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
The Supreme Court has once again given a green light to the Trump Administration's effort to undermine the independent regulatory agencies. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7853
The Attack on Independent Business Regulation
Donald Trump has a great fondness for the policies of the late 19th Century, praising that period’s focus on tariffs and its lack of a federal income tax. Yet there is another practice from that time ...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
July 24, 2025 at 1:19 PM
The Supreme Court has once again given a green light to the Trump Administration's effort to undermine the independent regulatory agencies. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7853
Federal prosecutors quietly target fraud by healthcare providers while Republican politicians loudly make baseless claims about recipient abuse to justify the assault on Medicaid. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7848
The Real Healthcare Fraud
If you had to choose a single phrase to describe the Trump Administration’s policy positions, you might very well go with “false claims.” That includes false claims about the degree of criminality amo...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
July 17, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Federal prosecutors quietly target fraud by healthcare providers while Republican politicians loudly make baseless claims about recipient abuse to justify the assault on Medicaid. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7848
T-Mobile's abandonment of its DEI program represents another victory for the FCC in its MAGA-inspired campaign to undo half a century of efforts to promote diversity in the communications industry. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7842
The FCC Betrays Its Diversity Legacy
The Federal Communications Commission has scored another victory in the campaign to use its regulatory powers to promote the MAGA goal of stamping out all vestiges of diversity, equity, and inclusion ...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
July 10, 2025 at 1:55 PM
T-Mobile's abandonment of its DEI program represents another victory for the FCC in its MAGA-inspired campaign to undo half a century of efforts to promote diversity in the communications industry. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7842
For a young industry, the food delivery business has accumulated a remarkable amount of regulatory penalties. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7837
Delivering Corporate Misconduct
When we go online to order dinner, we are getting a lot more delivered than a bowl of Pad Thai. As they bring in billions of dollars in revenue, leading app-based services such as DoorDash and Grubhub...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
July 3, 2025 at 12:35 PM
For a young industry, the food delivery business has accumulated a remarkable amount of regulatory penalties. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7837
The latest update to Violation Tracker Global includes an EU
EUR329 million penalty against Delivery Hero and Glovo for anti-competitive practices including a non-poaching agreement and a EUR45 million fine imposed on Vodafone in Germany for security flaws.
violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
EUR329 million penalty against Delivery Hero and Glovo for anti-competitive practices including a non-poaching agreement and a EUR45 million fine imposed on Vodafone in Germany for security flaws.
violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
Violation Tracker Global
Violation Tracker Global, produced by the Corporate Research Project of Good Jobs First, is a wide-ranging database on misconduct by large corporations throughout the world.
violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
June 30, 2025 at 6:34 PM
The latest update to Violation Tracker Global includes an EU
EUR329 million penalty against Delivery Hero and Glovo for anti-competitive practices including a non-poaching agreement and a EUR45 million fine imposed on Vodafone in Germany for security flaws.
violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
EUR329 million penalty against Delivery Hero and Glovo for anti-competitive practices including a non-poaching agreement and a EUR45 million fine imposed on Vodafone in Germany for security flaws.
violationtrackerglobal.goodjobsfirst.org
Using data from Violation Tracker Global, my colleagues and I have produced a report contradicting the notion that the EU over-regulates big business. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7833
The Other Face of EU Business Regulation
There is a common assumption in some circles that Europe is a regulatory nightmare for business. Resentment toward Brussels bureaucrats was a prime motivating factor for Brexit, and today U.S. high te...
dirtdiggersdigest.org
June 26, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Using data from Violation Tracker Global, my colleagues and I have produced a report contradicting the notion that the EU over-regulates big business. dirtdiggersdigest.org/archives/7833