The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit for civil damages against BP and eight
other defendants for violations of American environmental laws.
The lawsuit
stems from the April 20 explosion and sinking of the offshore drilling rig, the Deepwater
Horizon, the disaster which killed 11 and led to millions of gallons of crude oil
being spilled into the Gulf of Mexico.
"Both our criminal and civil investigations
are continuing, and our work to ensure that the American taxpayers are not forced
to bear the costs of restoring the Gulf area -- and its economy -- goes on," said
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder as he announced the lawsuit.
The federal
lawsuit says inadequate cementing of the well contributed to the disaster. Similar
charges were made by BP in its internal investigation, and by the independent presidential
oil spill commission.