Halliburton, the industrial and security behemoth created through the favors of ex vice president and ex Halliburton ceo, Dick Cheney was found guilty of destroying evidence in the Mexico oil spill of the Macondo field Deepwater Horizon operation that nearly destroyed the Lousiana-Mississippi coast.
However, the government has already released a statement that says Halliburton will not face any charges for such obstruction of justice. The government has decided unilaterally that a plea deal with an admission of guilt would suffice.
Considering that it was due to poor construction of the the well, made with poor materials, that caused the immense spill and the death of 11 people, it beggars belief that the US government would not order the company to stand trial, or harsher punishment, when BP has had to sit in litigation for three years in several different proceedings against it.
In addition to the guilty plea, a statutory fine of $ 200,000 was imposed on the company. For Halliburton, that's mere cents. A separate 55$ million payment to the Fish and Wildlife foundation was also agreed upon. Agian, a pittance.
It all seems surreal.
Halliburton furthermore, did its own investigation of the events that preceded the catastrophe that contaminated the Gulf. It was during this investigation that the evidence was destroyed. The simulations that were done to prove their 'innocence' in the incident instead reflected negatively on the construction procedure of the oil wells, so the company ordered them destroyed.
The white glove treatment of Halliburton has caused consternation before, but the extent of it seems appalling. From the awarding of no-bic contracts, to lack of prosecution or penalties in the death of soldiers due to shoddy construction in Iraq to the Mexico Oil spill, it seems that Halliburton can do nothing worthy of prosecution.
In consideration of the fact that BP has been ordered to pay 4.5 billion dollars in penalties and reparations, even after it set aside and spent more than 14 billion dollars, in response and cleanup and 10 billions is direct compensation, it seems unfair that the company that built a crucial part of the well that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico could be treated so leniently.
Ope_Ed
Source : France 24/ 7.26.13
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