Energy and Environment

Ex-BP engineer convicted on 1 obstruction charge

By Associated Press
Published December 18, 2013 5:00am ET
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Ex-BP engineer convicted on 1 obstruction charge
FILE - In this Dec. 3, 2013 file photo, former BP drilling engineer Kurt Mix arrives at the Hale Boggs Federal Building in New Orleans, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013. Jurors are scheduled to hear closing arguments Monday in Mix's trial on two counts of obstruction of justice. He is charged with deleting text messages about the company's response to its massive 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman, File) | Jonathan Bachman

NEW ORLEANS — A former BP drilling engineer has been convicted of one charge that he deleted text messages from his cellphone to obstruct a federal probe of the company’s massive 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. A jury acquitted him of a second charge.

A federal jury deliberated for more than nine hours before reaching a verdict on Kurt Mix’s case Wednesday. The count of obstruction of justice carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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Associated Press BP Louisiana Oil