Feds weigh a criminal probe of BP

[kpete]

Source: Los Angeles Times

Feds weigh a criminal probe of BP
The focus is on whether the oil company skirted safety regulations and misled the U.S. government about its ability to respond to a blowout.

Reporting from Washington
A team of top federal prosecutors and investigators has taken the first steps toward a formal criminal investigation into oil giant BP's actions before and after the drilling rig disaster off Louisiana.

The investigators, who have been quietly gathering evidence in Louisiana over the last three weeks, are focusing on whether BP skirted federal safety regulations and misled the U.S. government by saying it could quickly clean up an environmental accident.

The team has met with U.S. attorneys and state officials in the Gulf Coast region and has sent letters to executives of BP and Transocean Ltd., the drilling rig owner, warning them against destroying documents or other internal records.

Underscoring the gravity of the inquiry, the team is headed by Assistant Atty. Gen. Ignacia Moreno of the environment and natural resources division and Assistant Atty. Gen. Tony West, who heads the Justice Department's civil division.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-oil-spill-investigation-20100529,0,3427456.story

[dipsydoodle]

1. Chances are

that if BP couldn't prove that then none of the other big companies could either. So - presumably that means that all off shore drilling will now be suspended regardless of which company is involved.

[cornermouse]

2. I wish they would.

I doubt they will.

[Scuba]

3. Indictments. Now.

[RC]

4. This won't do much good unless the people AT THE TOP go to prison!

But they will pick a few scape goats and this will go away like Enron.

[metapunditedgy]

5. How's that AIG investigation going? Goldman? Exxon?

I'll believe it when I see it. If they were serious about this, it would be discussed a lot more loudly in Washington and in the media.

Here's hoping, though.

[Lorien]

6. Really. It's depressing as hell that they get away with murder and we

can be locked away for carrying protest signs.

[metapunditedgy]

8. Meanwhile shared resources like the Gulf or the US economy are pillaged because

the (so-called) free market doesn't know how to put a dollar value on such things.

[flyarm]

10. is the powder still drying on Cheney and Bush and Rummy? and how is that table setting going?

when are people here going to realize they all piss in the same pot?

[aquart]

7. How much does it weigh? Less than a feather?

[flyarm]

9. after turning over all power to them after their criminal actions..oh yeah that sure makes me swell

with joy now!!!!!!!!!

not

whipfuckingeeeeeeee

[debunkthelies]

11. Feds weigh a criminal probe of BP???

Excuse me ? WEIGH? Just prosecute the bastards dammit.:dilemma: :rofl: :banghead: