NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Kevin Costner says his reputation was at stake as he defended himself against accusations that he cheated fellow actor Stephen Baldwin out of millions of dollars in a lucrative BP contract for oil-cleaning machines after the 2010 spill.
Baldwin and a friend were seeking $17 million in damages, saying they could have made at least that much in the deal. A federal grand jury sided with Costner and gave them nothing.
Costner smiled and shook his attorney’s hand as a grim-faced Baldwin left the courtroom.
After a two-week trial, eight jurors deliberated for less than two hours before giving their decision in the lawsuit brought by Baldwin and his friend, Spyridon Contogouris.
