BP sets up fraud hotline only a week after arguing claims process in appeals court

NEW ORLEANS – British Petroleum has announced the creation of a fraud hotline that will allow anonymous callers to turn in those pursuing false claims due to the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill.

The move comes only a week after BP argued in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that the claims process resulting from a 2012 plea deal with a class of businesses who purport they received economic damages due to the oil spill is flawed.

In the appeal, attorney Ted Olson, arguing on behalf of BP, claimed that claims administrator Patrick Juneau has allowed nearly $1 billion in damages to be paid out to businesses with either inflated damage claims or who are unable to prove damages at all.

Callers to the BP fraud hotline could receive a reward if their information results in a claim denial, recovery of damages or an indictment.

The hotline number is 1-855-NO2-FRAUD.