Can BP Be Trusted in Light of its Past?

Minutes after the "Top Kill" operation got under way, CBS News Chief Investigative Correspondent Armen Keteyian sat down with BP CEO Tony Hayward at the company's headquarters in Houston. The conversation focused on corporate culture, and BP's controversial record on safety and the environment.

"Is there something fundamentally wrong within the BP culture that puts profits above all else?" Keteyian asked.

"My focus throughout my tenure as CEO, which is now just over three years, on safe and reliable operations," Hayward said. "It's been our number one priority."

When reminded of the 11 lives lost April 20, Hayward replied, "As I said, this is a tragic, tragic accident."

Special Section: Disaster in the Gulf

The Justice Department has requested records relative to Deep Water Horizon. Has BP been informed that you are the subject of a criminal investigation?

"Not as we speak," Hayward said. "We'll see what happens in the future."

But those who have investigated BP in the past see an all too familiar pattern.

"BP unfortunatly does not have a very good history of meeting its obligations unnder either the environmental laws or the worker safety laws," said David Ulhmann, Former Justice Department Investigator.

Big Oil's "Cozy Relationship" with Inspectors
CBS Poll: 70% Say BP Handling Oil Spill Badly

With 2009 revenues exceeding $230 billion, BP, the world's fourth largest energy company has been convicted of three environment crimes in the last 10 years.

They were fined $500,000 in 2000 for failure to report dumping in the north slope of Alaska. They pleaded guilty of violating the Clean Air Act after a 2005 refinery explosion killed 15 workers.

BP also paid $20 million in fines in 2007 for ignoring leaks in the Alaska pipeline.

"What's different now?" Keteyian asked.

Hayward said, "Since I've been CEO, I've focused remorselessly on safe, reliable operations."

"So you're saying the American public can trust BP despite its criminal history in the past?"

"We are absolutely committed to clean every drop of oil up," Hayward replied.

CBS News has learned the Justice Department has requested BP retain all records relative to Deepwater Horizon, meaning that Justice Department investigation is well on its way.

[simonshah]

drill baby drill!
mantra of the morons
(my suburban wants to
kill you)
this is just a
passing phase
this preoccupation
with self-loathing
soon mother earth
will swallow up
all of your sun gods
and pull you back
into dust

[brasileira2]

They are selling US to everyone- To the Brits, Chinese, Saudis, etc, etc, etc... Very sad!!!!!!

[amerilatino]

No corporation should be implicitly trusted, a corporation is a means to an end, an organization with members of varying outlooks on the concepts of commitment, obligation and honorability, as all organizations are, not a responsible, moral being. This is why the concept of accountability has existed since the inception of modern civilization and the state of law. To believe otherwise is to subscribe to the inane, irresponsible revision of social and economic history that has seemed to be plagueing the U.S. for the last 25 years or so.

[bamio]

In light of HIS past, can Obamie be trusted?

[riptide213]

Trust no one.

Suspend all offshore oil drilling, mining, and any other environmental impacting or dangerous industry operation until a viable US government Worst Case Scenario Response Plan is approved.

Proactive, no notice US government inspections with zero tolerance for safety and compliance deviations.

No more excuses.

[typeA911]

Only 2 people in the world I trust, one is me and the other aint U.

[pollroller1]

Sometimes I don't even trust me.

[zebra8835]

BP will clean up every drop AFTER the spill. It's kind of like saying, I'll put my pit bull back in the house AFTER its torn your son and daughter to shreds. This is why outside inspection is so necessary. Just as the FAA has grounded aircraft for lack of maintenance, these oil rigs need greater scrutiny because of the potential for disaster. May we learn from this horrible nightmare!

[wjksea]

BRITISH petroleum has marked the gulf. That oil belongs to them. People better stay away from gulf or BRITISH petroleum will prosecute for shoplifting under the fullest extent of the law.

[wjksea]

AlwaysSmiling May 27, 2010 12:25 AM EDT
Didn't the bank bailouts start with TARP? Which was done before Obama won the election? And voted on by both Obama and McCain?

I must have been sleeping the past year or two, because I could have sworn that Bush signed the TARP Bill into Law... Man I need more caffei
-----------------------------------
Of course it did and Bush and McCain are NOT socialists. Neither would expect a response from the federal government in this oil mess. It would be complete government intrusion.

Those liberals were all over Bush for the whole Katrina thing. Bush was forces to do something but that's because the liberal media put so much pressure on him. Still, it was very disappointing that Bush let go of his values and sent massive amounts of money to those southern states that operate in the red. It's not american to redistribute wealth like that. It's just not.

[warsux]

I hope you live through a natural disaster.

[magnumdr]

Sure they can be trusted, just like we trust every large company with money being the first thing on their minds every day.

[wjksea]

Government is the problem. It taxes and wastes our money. But I am concerned that someone suggests that we will pay for this at the pump. I mean, even if we eliminate government it sounds like we are still going to have to pay. I'd like to know if we will be able to vote at that point. It's sounding like we might not. Maybe get to know a board member of BRITISH petroleum really well. Hmm, makes me think of those wonderful old fairy tales that created dreams of marrying into royalty.

[wjksea]

So if we completely eliminate government, we will still have to pay? Will we still be able to vote?