Mike Papantonio told me that BP has “parachuted” a corporate team into the Gulf Coast area that is offering local fisherman $5,000 to use their boats, hidden in those contracts are clause that prevent the fisherman from suing BP. The Mobile, Ala. CBS affiliate, WKRG, reports that BP held a public information meeting in nearby Bayou La Batre. BP told the fishermen, business owners and local officials that they didn’t need to hire lawyer. They simply can call the BP 1-800 telephone number, 1-800-440-0858, and claim total damages for themselves and their businesses of up to $5,000.
At the DEP/County briefing yesterday, BP had at least six people in the room….there were less than 30 people there.