Chevron guilty of refinery criminal charges

[alp227]

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

A day before the first anniversary of the destructive fire at Chevron's oil refinery in Richmond, the company pleaded no contest Monday to six criminal charges arising from the incident.

As part of the deal, Chevron agreed to pay $2 million in fines and restitution and accept additional oversight and inspection of its operations during a 3 1/2-year probation period, authorities said.

The misdemeanor charges, alleging violations of California's health and labor codes, were filed Monday by the Contra Costa County district attorney and the state attorney general after an investigation of the fire in a crude oil processing unit on Aug. 6, 2012.

In a prearranged deal, an attorney for the company immediately entered pleas of no contest before Superior Court Judge William Kolin in Martinez, said Deputy District Attorney Steve Moawad.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Chevron-guilty-of-refinery-criminal-charges-4707675.php

[bluesbassman]

1. Pocket change slap on the wrist as usual...

We were at under $3.50 a gallon before that fire, haven't got close since. Game the system and pay a "fine". Business as usual for Big Oil.

[TRoN33]

4. Slap on wrist? Its more of kiss on wrist!

Of course, its no secret that U.S. justice system would lick corporations' un-wiped asses if they are REAL PEOPLE, you know what I means?

[benld74]

2. Sounds like victory, but we all know, the deal

was struck when Chevron was told what COULD be asked for in a jury trial.

THEY GOT OFF CHEAP.

[Dustlawyer]

3. Neither BP in 2005 when they blew up their plant in Texas City, nor Chevron wanted to spend the

money to make their refineries safe for their workers. BP actually budgeted how much it was going to cost them per death when deciding to not fix all of the most dangerous problems they had in their plant. The piping is expensive so they want to make sure it is all used up, then use it some more!

[Posteritatis]

5. Wow, they fined them six and a half minutes' worth of their annual revenue. (nt)

[sakabatou]

6. Color me shocked.