Oil and Gas

BP: oust claims head for conflict of interest

by Walter Pierce

BP says it recently obtained correspondence between Patrick Juneau's Lafayette law firm and the Gulf Coast Claims Facility showing he argued for liberal compensation, flexible documentation requirements and other terms that would help Louisiana claimants at BP's expense.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - BP PLC has asked a federal judge to remove Patrick Juneau as administrator of damage claims from its 2010 oil spill, saying he failed to disclose a major conflict of interest.

Tuesday's motion says Juneau represented Louisiana in talks setting up the claims process and pushed for favorable terms for those with claims.

BP says that means he's not the neutral person required for the job.

Juneau says he will respond in court.

BP says it recently obtained correspondence between Juneau's law firm and the Gulf Coast Claims Facility showing he argued for liberal compensation, flexible documentation requirements and other terms that would help Louisiana claimants at BP's expense.

BP says Juneau was legally required to disclose any conflict of interest, but didn't do so.