A Texas judge let ExxonMobil sue California AG Rob Bonta over a recycling email, saying it was political speech, not official action.

A federal judge in Texas has allowed ExxonMobil to move forward with a defamation lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta over a campaign email accusing the company of knowingly lying about plastic recycling, ruling the email—containing a donation request—was political speech, not official government business, and thus stripped Bonta of immunity. The case, filed in Texas near ExxonMobil’s headquarters, claims the statements harmed the company’s business prospects and advanced recycling efforts. While claims against environmental groups were dismissed, the lawsuit against Bonta will proceed. Bonta’s office did not comment.