Feds: Halliburton agrees to plead guilty to destroying evidence in 2010 Gulf oil spill

7/25/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Federal officials say Halliburton Energy Services has agreed to plead guilty to destroying evidence in connection with the 2010 Gulf oil spill.

The Department of Justice said in a news release today that a criminal information charging Haillburton with one count of destruction of evidence was filed in federal court in Louisiana.

The news release says Halliburton has agreed to pay the maximum fine, be on probation for three years and continue to cooperate with the government's criminal investigation.

The Houston-based company has also made a $55 million voluntary contribution to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Hallburton was BP's cement contractor on the drilling rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The blowout triggered an explosion that killed 11 workers and spilled millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf.