BP Appeal Seeks Ouster Of Claims Administrator

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — BP is trying again to force the ouster of the administrator of claims arising from a settlement reached with businesses claiming economic harm from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

BP argues that Patrick Juneau has mismanaged the settlement program and that he had a conflict of interest that he didn't disclose when he was appointed to administer claims arising from the 2012 settlement. The corporation also says that Juneau "actively advocated against BP's interests" as part of his work for the state of Louisiana in 2010 and 2011.

U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier flatly rejected BP's arguments in November. That led the corporation to head to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where a three-judge panel was set to hear arguments Tuesday.