BP, workers head to court this week over criminal charges in Gulf disaster

BP is preparing to plead guilty to manslaughter and other crimes arising from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico rig explosion and oil spill but isn’t expected to do that during an initial appearance Tuesday in New Orleans federal court. The Houston Chronicle reports that court appearances also are scheduled this week for three men who were working for the oil giant at the time of the disaster, and they already are mounting efforts to fight felony charges. Once BP enters its planned guilty plea, a judge probably will order a pre-sentence report, in which court officials would recommend the appropriate punishment. Assuming that determination meshes with BP’s agreement with the Justice Department announced Nov. 15, which includes a multibillion-dollar fine, a federal judge would consider final approval of the plea deal. Tuesday’s hearing is simply a first appearance for BP. At a status conference set for Thursday, the parties will discuss when BP will enter its plea, Justice Department spokeswoman Rebekah Carmichael says. BP declined to comment on its plans for the dual court appearances. The full story can be found here.