BP Not Cooperating With House Panel
The House panel chairman that is investigating the oil spill in the Gulf said that BP won’t let some of the employees talk to House members. These employees might have information that is critical to the events that led to the catastrophe. BP announced to the Associated Press that the reason they won’t let the employees be interviewed is because they are conducting their own investigation.
David Nicholas, BP spokesman, said that they have not objected to members talking to any of the employees that they have requested to talk to. He said that they are continuing to cooperate with the committee. However, Bart Stupak, Michigan democrat said that BP has been very slow in providing documents and witnesses that the committee wants to talk to.
He also stated that from the information that the committee has gathered so far, it could be very difficult for them to prosecute anyone for the spill. The environmental laws are too vague and there are other challenges. “And remember, in a criminal case you have to prove intent,” he said. “That’s very, very difficult in a situation like this.”
Stupak said that there are around half a dozen people that they want to talk to and haven’t been able to. Although, he didn’t say whether any of those people work for BP or other companies. He also said that the committee isn’t ready to start issuing any subpoenas.