The lawsuit, an unusual strategy for the oil giant, comes after California’s attorney general sued Exxon last year alleging it misled the public about plastics recycling.

Exxon Mobil Corp. has filed a federal defamation lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and several environmental groups.

In a retaliatory lawsuit, Exxon says claims against it are motivated by “sordid for-profit incentives and outright greed.”