
(New Orleans, LA) — A Henderson man is facing charges in connection with the BP oil spill.
The Justice Department says 62-year-old Robert Kaluza allegedly caused the deaths of eleven men and the resulting Gulf oil spill in April 2010. A grand jury indicted Kaluza and two other BP employees.
Lawyers in Houston released a statement on Kaluza’s behalf saying “Bob was not an executive or high-level BP official. He was a dedicated rig worker who mourns his fallen co-workers every day.” He reportedly started his career in the oil industry at the age of 18 as a well-hand in Montana.
Kaluza faces 22 felony counts, including involuntary manslaughter, and one violation of the Clean Water Act.
If convicted on all counts, he faces a life prison sentence.