Judge OKs BP Criminal Settlement

A federal judge in New Orleans has approved a settlement of criminal charges filed against BP over its 2010 oil spill. The oil company will pay $4 billion and admit to manslaughter in the accident that killed 11 workers.

Federal Judge Sarah Vance has ruled the deal worked out with the Justice Department is a “reasonable disposition.” BP admits to a felony violation of lying to Congress, as well as to misdemeanor violations of the Clean Water Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

More than 200 million gallons of oil spewed into the Gulf of Mexico when BP’s undersea well exploded in April 2010.

Two BP employees still face criminal charges for their supervision of the drilling operations, and a civil trial is set for next month to determine the liability of companies involved in the disaster.