FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
July 20, 2011
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Suzanne Webb (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG STRANGE IS PLEASED GCCF TO HAVE INDEPENDENT AUDIT
(MONTGOMERY) – Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange said he is
pleased that the Gulf Coast Claims Facility will undergo an independent audit
according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. In a letter
today to Claims Administrator Kenneth Feinberg, the federal Attorney General
stressed concerns shared with him by the people of Alabama, and confirmed that
Feinberg had agreed to the audit.
Attorney General Strange has repeatedly and publicly criticized the lack of
transparency in the claims proceedings by the GCCF, and sought more
accountability from its administrator. Attorney General Strange and U.S.
Congressman Jo Bonner voiced their deep concerns about the GCFF when they met
with Attorney General Holder in Alabama in June. In his letter today, Attorney
General Holder told Feinberg that he had “recently traveled to Alabama and heard
from individuals and business owners whose lives and livelihoods continue to be
severely affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.”
“It is good news for the people of Alabama that someone other than BP and
Kenneth Feinberg will finally be able to peer into the inner-workings of the GCCF,”
said Attorney General Strange. “For far too long, the GCCF has hidden behind a
veil of secrecy when denying compensation to victims of the Gulf oil spill. I
applaud this outcome due to the efforts of Attorney General Holder and Alabama’s
own local and Congressional leaders, who have refused to back down after constant
rejection. The announcement today of an independent audit marks another step
forward in making sure that all victims of the spill may at last be treated fairly and
promptly.”
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501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov
