Transocean admits criminal conduct before oil spill

In April 2010, the Deepwater Horizon exploded and burned, killing 11 rig workers and creating the largest oil spill in U.S. history. / United States Coast Guard

BP's partner in the Deepwater Horizon venture, Transocean, has admitted criminal conduct and agreed to pay $1.4 billion in civil and criminal fines in the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the Justice Department announced on Thursday.

In April 2010, the Deepwater Horizon exploded and burned, killing 11 rig workers and creating the largest oil spill in U.S. history. Federal prosecutors say Transocean has now admitted that its crew members were negligent in proceeding to drill at BP's Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico, despite clear indications that it was not secure.

In a news release, Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West stated that the settlement "will aid the Gulf region's recovery from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and required Transocean to take important steps that will help guard against such incidents happening in the future."

If the court approves the settlement, $150 million dollars in criminal penalties will help the ecosystems harmed by the oil spill. Another $150 million will go to fund improved oil spill prevention and response efforts. Most of the $1 billion in civil fines for violating the federal Clean Water Act will go to fund projects for the Gulf states' environmental and economic benefit.

Last November, BP pleaded guilty to criminal charges in the disaster, including lying about the extent of the oil leak, and agreed to pay $4.5 billion in fines and restitution. BP is currently investigating the leakage of an "unidentified substance inconsistent with oil" from the site of the Deepwater Horizon wreckage.

[Bakiranima]

Next stop: Halliburton. Should be good for a couple of billion, having fed generously at the public trough for decades. Here's a song for the Evil Awl Axis: "Big Bad Awl" http://youtu.be/b5zlw2Q1AWs

[mjlewis6]

It is not enough for Corporations to be immune to the law,I.E. no one in authority goes to jail, but there should be a similar constraint on their rights and liberties when caught in criminal actions that cost lives.

REQUIRED giving up political monies in elections as allowed by the SCOTUS under the Citizens United case,

REQUIRED giving up personal ownership of weapons by all officers in the company which were part of the criminal decision.

REQUIRED use of public transportation until such time as all damages to both environment and other persons have been satisfied

REQUIRED booking and fingerprinting and database tracking of all officers in the company which were part of the criminal decision.