Unexpected twist at AT&T: it will happen in just a few hours and all of America already knows it

AT&T is once again at the center of media and judicial attention. The company is facing a decisive moment: the deadline to legally respond to a crucial case expires this July 16.

This turn of events comes after a judge recently dismissed a lawsuit filed by investors against the telecommunications giant. Everything began two years ago, when a major environmental problem was revealed.

AT&T, along with other major operators, was accused of having abandoned thousands of miles (kilometers) of lead-covered telephone cables. These cables, which were once essential for communication networks, remained hanging on poles, buried, or crossing rivers. All this happened without anyone taking responsibility for their removal.

Over time, the lead began to deteriorate and be released, posing a serious risk to health and the environment. According to research published in 2023, these toxic residues have reached inhabited and recreational areas. Lead levels were detected in sensitive areas such as a playground in New York, a school in New Jersey, and a fishing area in Louisiana.

Lawsuit against AT&T

As a result, several public agencies in New York City filed a lawsuit against AT&T and several of its executives. They claimed that the company hadn't clearly informed investors about the environmental and financial risks arising from these old cables. They stated that between 2018 and 2023, the company had made incomplete or outright misleading statements about its environmental practices.

The investors also argued that AT&T hid the magnitude of the problem to protect its image and stock value. This would have caused financial losses for those who bought shares during that period.

However, the situation changed recently. Chief Judge David Godbey decided to dismiss the case. He understood that the arguments presented didn't meet the legal requirements to prove securities fraud.

He pointed out that it couldn't be proven that the company's executives acted with intent to deceive or with gross recklessness. In addition, many of the plaintiffs' statements were too general.

Critical moment for AT&T

Although the case was dismissed, the story isn't over yet. The plaintiffs can still file a new, corrected lawsuit. But time is running out: they have until July 16, 2025 to do so.

If they don't submit stronger allegations before that date, the case will be closed permanently.

This is, without a doubt, a critical moment for AT&T. What is decided in the coming days could have significant consequences not only for the company, but also for the future of environmental regulation in the telecommunications sector.