Feinberg
Extra security was on hand at Tuesday's meeting between Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) administrator Kenneth Feinberg and Alabama residents affected by the BP oil spill, according to a report by the The Associated Press.
The report stated that metal detectors and additional police officers were added to two events where Feinberg was present to answer questions about the oil spill claims process.
The decision was reportedly made in light of the Jan. 8 shooting in Tuscon that critically injured U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, left six people dead and wounded 12 others.
Orange Beach, Ala. Mayor Tony Kennon is quoted as saying he didn't want "to look back and have regrets."
Feinberg has come under fire lately by Gulf Coast residents alleging that the claims process is too slow and that some claims are being unjustly denied.
In December, plaintiff lawyers in the multidistrict litigation (MDL) surrounding the oil spill claimed that Feinberg "seems indistinguishable from a defense attorney attempting to settle cases on behalf of BP."
The accusation came in a motion to supervise ex parte communications between the defendants and the putative class members, asking that U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier to compel Feinberg to clarify his position as GCCF administrator.
The motion cited that BP is paying Feinberg's firm $850,000 a month for his services. The AP released a report Jan. 18 that states Feinberg is currently discussing how much he will be paid in the coming months. A spokesman confirmed to the AP that Feinberg's contract negotiates fees on a quarterly basis.