VENICE, La., June 17 (UPI) -- BP's tab for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill could zoom up astronomically if the U.S. government pursues criminal action against the British company, experts say.
While BP is setting aside $20 billion for claims, The New York Times reported Pavel Molchanov, an analyst at Raymond James, estimated Wednesday the total legal cost, including fines should the company be found criminally responsible, at $62.9 billion.