Environmental Law

BP Plea Deal Approved

By Walter James

The W.R. Grace trial is not the only prosecution going on . . ..

On Thursday, March 12, 2009, United States District Court Judge Lee Rosenthal approved the plea agreement with BP.  The agreement ended the criminal case and imposed a $50,000,000.00 fine, the largest fine ever imposed in an environmental crimes case ? ever.  BP pled guilty to charges stemming from the 2005 explosion at its Texas City, Texas refinery that killed 15 workers and injured 180 workers. 

The plea agreement was held up as the families of the victims exercised their rights under the Crime Victims Rights Act. 

BP will also serve three years probation.  A condition of the probation is compliance with worker safety, process safety and environmental standards set down in agreements with the government.  Failure to comply could subject BP to further prosecution for other additional environmental violations.

More later.

As always, feel free to contact me via e-mail at walter.james@jamespllc.com.

WDJiii

Full post as published by Environmental Crimes Blog on March 13, 2009 (boomark / email).