AG: Firms other than BP could be liable for spill

[July 15, 2010]  DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (AP) -- Attorney General Eric Holder has indicated that corporations other than BP could be held liable eventually for the devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Holder spoke at a news conference Wednesday at Dauphin Island on the Alabama coast after a meeting with attorneys general from the Gulf states.

He said they are looking at all the corporations that were involved in the spill, which began gushing after an explosion at the rig April 20.

Holder also said a task force was being formed to assess the process for dispensing money from the $20 billion escrow fund established by BP. He said the company has been cooperative so far in creating the fund and paying claims, but the administration wants to be certain that cooperation continues.

[Associated Press; By JAY REEVES]

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