BP managers avoid testifying at hearing (Transocean Atty want to know about a grant of immunity)

[maddezmom]

Source: The Advocate

KENNER – Two BP managers aboard the Deepwater Horizon oil rig when it exploded April 20 in the Gulf of Mexico did not appear Thursday for testimony in federal hearings aimed at identifying key factors in the fatal accident.

¬snip¬

U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Hung Nguyen, co-chairman of the investigative panel, announced Wednesday that BP manager Robert Kaluza was “exercising his constitutional right” not to testify. Nguyen surprised onlookers Thursday when he revealed that BP manager Donald Vidrine also would not appear. Nguyen said Vidrine sent word of a health problem. The captain added that both men will testify at a later date.

That prompted E.F. “Ned” Kohnke, a New Orleans attorney for Transocean, to demand that Nguyen reveal whether Kaluza would be testifying under a grant of immunity.

“He’s making a speech,” Richard C. Godfrey, a Chicago attorney for BP, shouted before Nguyen could respond to Kohnke. Godfrey said details related to the non-appearance of Kaluza and Vidrine should not be discussed publicly. Nguyen agreed with Godfrey before closing the Thursday session.



Read more: http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/95084539.html

[Turbineguy]

1. This will take years.

Given the huge fines.

[aquart]

2. There's a third: James Mansfield. Also called in sick.

Works for Transocean. He could be the one who said "Guess that's what a BOP is for." The one who had the fight with Kaluza.

<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/27/bps-top-two-officials-on_n_592690.html>

[groundloop]

3. These mega-corporations still think they're above the govt and law

Time for a grand jury?

[CanonRay]

4. Past time

One should have been impaneled on April 21st.

[tinymontgomery]

11. Aren't they?

Sure seems like it to me the past 10 years.

[nykym]

5. Simple matter

Subpoena them, if the refuse to come arrest them, if they refuse to talk hold them in contempt and jail their sorry asses. No deals should be made period.

[WhiteTara]

7. +1 n/t

[Wednesdays]

10. Yeah, they'll get jail time...right after Harriet Miers and Gonzalez and

Rove and Cheney and Kenny Lay and...

:banghead:

[kelly1mm]

15. They can refuse to testify unless granted imunity for their testimony

a la Oliver North in Iran-Contra. Is that what you are proprosing? Or is the 5th ammendment not a concern for you? Or is it something else? You are correct that they do have to show up if subpeonas are issued but they can invoke their right against self incrimination.

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. We are still waiting for Rove and Meirs to be jailed,

for ignoring their Congressional subpoenas, remember?

[jtrockville]

6. Given the precedent set by the 110th congress, why would ANYONE

show up for a congressional subpoena? As far as I can tell, there are no consequences for ignoring it.

[glitch]

8. Let's establish the Bush v. Gore ruling implies that no precedents should be set by the * regime.

They were an illegal aberration, nothing they did should establish precedent. Everything they did should demand immediate change and strict reform.

[jtrockville]

9. +1: That would make an EXCELLENT executive order.

[Wednesdays]

12. So, all the * justice appointments are null and void?

The Afghanistan and Iraq wars never happened? No torture, Gitmo, Patriot Act? :shrug:

Sounds good to me! ;)

[glitch]

14. One big giant NULL and VOID.

DENIED stamped on their foreheads.

Although if we were truly granted a do over it should be from 1963 or at least 1980. :hi:

[jody]

13. Time for We the People to take charge. Jail all corporatist stooges and let god sort them out. n/t