NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A government witness in a trial to determine civil penalties against BP for the 2010 Gulf oil spill says the disaster hurt a wide array of industries over a broad geographic area.
Charles Mason also testified Thursday that the harm was only modestly countered by BP's spending and investment in the region.
U.S. Justice Department attorneys are pushing for the maximum $13.7 million Clean Water Act penalty for BP.
BP says the figure should be less.
BP attorneys suggested on cross examination that Mason's analysis failed to consider BP's positive effect on the community, through the claims process and as a major employer.
NOLA.comThe Times-Picayune reports that BP lawyers also said the analysis lacked data and focused primarily on effects on tourism in Mississippi and Florida.
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Information from: The Times-Picayune, http://www.nola.com
