Lawsuit Seeks $19 Billion from BP

[highplainsdem]

Source: MyFox Tampa Bay

Lawsuit Seeks $19 Billion from BP
Updated: Friday, 18 Jun 2010, 10:54 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 18 Jun 2010, 10:54 PM EDT

(NewsCore) - The Center for Biological Diversity on Friday filed the largest citizen enforcement action ever taken under the Clean Water Act against BP and Transocean Ltd over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The suit was filed in a New Orleans federal court and is seeking the maximum penalty under the act, which could amount to more than $19 billion.

-snip-

"The government has yet to take any criminal or civil actions against BP," said Kierán Suckling, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity.

"We filed this suit to ensure BP is held accountable for every drop of oil and pollution it has released into the Gulf of Mexico. We can't bring back dead sea turtles, dolphins and whales, but we can ensure BP is penalized to the full extent of the law for causing the worst environmental disaster in American history."




Read more: http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpps/news/lawsuit-seeks-$19-billion-from-bp-dpgonc-20100618-mh_8194490

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The article says the Center will give any penalties recovered to the US Treasury for restoration efforts.

[xchrom]

1. Well this is getting interesting. Nt

[indepat]

6. Jesus, have we another shakedown?

:P

[Angry Dragon]

2. They should also file a cease and desist order

to stop the spraying of dispersant

[primavera]

3. That would almost be their profit for a year

Of course, they also have a quarter of a trillion in assets, so they could always pay it out of petty cash.

[Kringle]

4. unjust enrichment .nt

[Laelth]

5. This is a reaction to widely-held fears that Obama gave away too much.

Note the concern about the fact that the government hasn't brought any criminal or civil actions against BP. If the executive branch won't protect us, the courts still might. I hope this suit is successful.

:dem:

-Laelth