"Gulf oil spill claim payouts reach $5.5 billion"

      The BP oil spill around a year and a half ago is barley fading out of peoples memories. The damage done was irreversible and many businesses are feeling its effects even today. BP had taken responsibility and has paid nearly five and a half billion dollars in claims. The article written in the Los Angeles Times "Gulf oil spill claim payouts reach $5.5 billion" by Richard Simon discusses the situation with the claims. Although there have been many claims that were truly concrete and believable, there have also been numerous claims that were suspected to be fraudulent. "A number of claims are suspected to be fraudulent and have been referred to the Justice Department." A representative said that he continues on receiving  about two thousand claims a week.
     Should one who made such a great mistake be given a second chance? "The hearing was held the day after BP won federal approval to drill its first exploratory oil well in the gulf since the April 20, 2010" BP has affected the lives of many people and possibly even the lives of future generations. The United States must do its duty and make decisions that will protect the interests of its citizens.