Report: Feds considering manslaughter charges for BP
April 4, 2011 by Fred HosierPosted in: BP, Fatality, In this week's e-newsletter, Investigations, Latest News & Views, Lawsuits, What do you think?, cost of safety, criminal charges, fire/explosion
It’s almost one year since the oil well explosion in the Gulf of Mexico that killed 11 workers and caused the biggest offshore spill in U.S. history. A recent news report says the federal government is consolidating its efforts to bring criminal charges against the company and perhaps some of its managers.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a civil lawsuit against BP in December.
Now comes word from Bloomberg news that federal prosecutors are considering whether to pursue manslaughter charges against BP managers for decisions leading to the explosion.
The report says prosecutors have been looking into charges of involuntary manslaughter or seaman’s manslaughter, which carries a more serious penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
At issue: Decisions by BP managers leading up to the explosion that may have sacrificed safety for speed and cost savings.
A presidential commission identified 11 decisions at Deepwater Horizon that saved time and increased risks. Seven of those decisions were made by BP managers on shore.
The investigation is being conducted by a DOJ criminal division task force. The department moved recently to consolidate management of the probe.
Do you think BP and/or its managers should face criminal charges, including involuntary manslaughter, in connection with the deaths of 11 workers due to the Deepwater Horizon explosion? Let us know what you think in the Comments Box below.
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Tags: BP explosion, criminal charges, Deepwater Horizon, involuntary manslaughter, sacrificed safety
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April 5th, 2011 at 11:43 am
If the government feels the negligence on the part of BP justifies manslaughter charges it should prosecute. It should also proscecute all other negligent parties. Yes that would include negligent supervisors, engineers, parts makers and the government inspectors who were charged with the responsibility of inspecting the work. These oil leases and platforms provide untold dollars to government and in return we the people have a reasonable expectation that the government will do its part in preventing such disasters. If the government was negligent in its inspections the inspectors who failed to do there jobs should be treated like any other defendant.
April 5th, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Absolutely. But, we all know that the government only cares about revenue and keeping congresspersons in power.
April 5th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Criminal charges hould be filed based upon the decisions made by BP and by other parties involved. There is no excuse for short cuts when the stakes are this high. Eleven lives lost and the worst environmental disaster in recent history, any errors must be on the side of safety not expediency.
April 5th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
I agree with David, anybody envolved with giving the go ahead with the work should be prosecuted