“Independent claims czar” on BP payroll

[Hannah Bell]

Gulf disaster “independent claims czar” Kenneth Feinberg is on the payroll of BP, he has admitted. The administrator of the escrow account set up by the Obama administration to compensate victims of the BP blowout has so far refused to reveal how much the oil giant pays him.

Nothing could more clearly expose Feinberg’s pretensions of neutrality and objectivity in the distribution of funds from the $20 billion Independent Claims Facility (ICF) established by the Obama administration on June 16. Feinberg is in fact an attorney in the employ of BP. He cannot, by definition, be a neutral arbiter.

In a July 19 web chat, Feinberg said he would not say how much BP pays him, declaring “that’s between me and BP.” Last week he backtracked somewhat, saying he would reveal his pay package within “weeks.” “I don’t want to just announce what my estimated salary is for the next few months, I want to give a budget that will include that salary,” he said in explaining the delay.

When a writer on the web discussion asked why he did not work pro bono, Feinberg flippantly replied, “I’ve spent my career doing pro bono, thank you very much.” Feinberg is in fact a multimillionaire who has for decades negotiated legal settlements beneficial to powerful corporate and government interests. As one commentator notes, “his firm has grown rich processing claims for asbestos and other mass torts.” (See Who is Kenneth Feinberg?)

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/aug2010/fein-a03.shtml

[spin]

1. Does BP own everybody in Washington D.C.?

Does anyone in D.C. represent the citizens of this country? Do they have any compassion for the citizens who have their lives ruined by a corporate giant who chose to ignore safety to increase profits?

[nashville_brook]

2. big k & r

[mod mom]

3. According to NOLA.com BP suggested him and pays him:

Willis said BP presented a list of suggested names to the president to fill the position. Feinberg said he will operate as a private, independent agent on contract with BP. His pay and the costs of the new facility will be provided by BP directly and will not come out of the $20 billion claims fund, he said. If either the president or BP is dissatisfied with his performance he will walk away, he said.

-snip

http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2010/06/bp_claims_process_manager_prep.html

[Karmadillo]

4. I cannot believe Bush appointed this guy. I mean, he tells us the guy is independent and then it

turns out he works for BP? Does he think we're stupid? This is really the bottom of the barrel. I cannot wait until Congress rises up and puts this guy in his place. A government that treats the people with such contempt doesn't deserve the right to govern. To the streets! To the streets! Let's--What? Who? Obama? You're sure? Obama appointed this guy? Honest? Barrack Obama? The Democratic president? Not Bush? Huh! What do you know? Obama. Well, they do say it takes a thief to catch a thief. Who better to catch BP trying to weasel out of their obligations than someone intimately familiar with the company and its dishonest ways. The more I think about, Obama is a genius! This was the perfect appointment! I'm sure BP thought they could put one over on Obama by getting him to appoint some supposed "independent" voice who they could steamroll. Obama didn't fall for it! He shifted the burden to BP by appointing one of their own to oversee compensation! Coup! Gobama! Go team!

[SammyWinstonJack]

5. Well played!

:evilgrin:

[BakedAtAMileHigh]

6. +1 with a wise smirk

Nicely done.