Gulf oil leak records can’t be kept secret, U.S. judge says

A federal magistrate judge has rejected a company’s bid to preserve the confidentiality of numerous emails and reports about its failed efforts to halt a Gulf of Mexico oil leak 10 years ago.

The documents could be evidence in a lawsuit that environmental groups filed against Taylor Energy Co., which owned a platform that toppled during Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

An Associated Press investigation recently revealed evidence that the leak at the site of the toppled platform is worse than Taylor or government regulators had publicly reported.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby rejected arguments Wednesday by Taylor lawyers who said the documents contain valuable trade secrets.

Taylor can ask to a district judge to review Wells Roby’s ruling.

The AP has filed a public records request for some of the same confidential records.

Republished with permission of The Associated Press.