Jackson, MS--Attorney General Jim Hood has filed a pleading asking the federal judge handling the BP multi-district litigation to take control of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) claims process.

A “Statement of Interest on Behalf of the State of Mississippi” was filed late yesterday in the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Louisiana.  The Attorney General’s Statement to U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier asks the court to take control in order “to correct the deficiencies in the GCCF as outlined in the PSC’s Motion and in this Statement of Interest, in order to facilitate the timely and just processing of claims.”

The statement further notes that the Attorney General has the authority, standing and duty to vindicate the rights of Mississippi citizens and businesses before this Court, based upon: 1) his parens patriae authority under the constitution and laws of the State of Mississippi on behalf of all Mississippi citizens, 2) the State’s direct injuries and costs improperly shifted to the State as a result of BP’s failure to fulfill its obligations to compensate the individual and business claimants injured as a result of the oil spill; and 3) the State’s direct and substantial interest in the “$20 billion” Trust Fund, from which not only individual and business claims against BP will be paid, but also from which funds will be drawn to restore the natural resources of the Gulf region.

The filing follows numerous letters between the Gulf States Attorneys General, BP and Gulf Coast Claims Facility administrator Kenneth Feinberg, which have met with only limited success.

“I want Mr. Feinberg to continue paying claims, but I want the process to be transparent, fair and fast.  If the court does not take control, we will be sending Mr. Feinberg a civil investigative demand which will inevitably lead to needless litigation and expense,” said Attorney General Hood.