FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 15, 2012
Contact: Eddie Scher, 415-977-5758
BP Announces Settlement of Criminal Case in Deepwater Horizon Disaster
[Washington, DC] BP today announced a settlement of the federal criminal and Securities and Exchange Commission claims arising from the Deepwater Horizon Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune issued the following statement:
"The people of the Gulf of Mexico have yet to be served a meaningful justice. The $4 billion criminal settlement announced today lets BP off with a slap on the wrist after causing the largest oil disaster in American history.
"The deadly explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, which killed eleven workers and spewed five million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf, was no accident. It was the result of criminal negligence by BP.
“The Sierra Club is working to make sure that the remaining civil Clean Water Act and Oil Pollution Act lawsuits will result in penalties topping $60 billion, which better reflects the harm BP inflicted on the Gulf. We urge the Department of Justice to pursue the remaining legal charges vigorously, and bring BP to justice for their crimes against Gulf families and businesses."
##