The Supreme Court has heard arguments in ExxonMobil’s attempt to overturn a $2.5 billion punitive judgment for the 1989 Alaska oil spill. Exxon is seeking annulment of the damages, already halved from $5 billion by a lower court two years ago. Brian O’Neill is the lawyer for more than 32,000 Alaska residents seeking damages from Exxon.

Brian O’Neill: “Punitive damages are not only for deterrence. They’re also for punishment. And these guys have not been punished one bit. Even today, they think that they’ve done nothing wrong. So, punishment is needed. And if you hurt 32,000 people, you hurt the livelihoods of 32,000 people, you rip apart the economy of South-Central Alaska, then you ought to be punished severely. Hopefully, they will be punished.”

Exxon has already paid more than $3 billion in penalties, but the $2.5 billion would go towards residents’ long-term damage. Earlier this month, Exxon reported a quarterly profit of $11.7 billion — the highest ever for an American company. Justice Samuel Alito has recused himself from the hearings because he owns ExxonMobil stock.