First I need to say.
this is an incomplete story.
DO you really think he erased data, without BEING TOLD TO DO IT??



http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303592404577363981888067016.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories

Excellent cynicism ECA --but absent actual black hatted criminals, the message is usually not so direct.  Usually its "make sure our email retention policy is followed to the letter."  Or--make sure that items of sensitive nature are not discussed via non secure modalities==ie, warning of the future will motivate many to clean up the past?

But in this particular case, I think the following is very telling:  "Mr. Mix was part of an internal team BP set up to estimate the amount of oil leaking from the well as well as to try to stop the leak." ///  Seems to me Mr Mix would be the one doing the telling?

It would be fair to say that BP got "Mixed up" with its internal messages! For that there needs to be some more PUNishment, too!

I'm with ECA on this. Though, it's hard to imagine actually finding the necessary proof beyond a reasonable doubt. And, besides, we seem to think that corporations are valid blockades to prosecuting those with Cs in their titles (e.g. CEO, CFO, COO, CIO, ...). Of course, they should not be. But, don't look at me. I'm still waiting for prosecution of the responsible Union Carbide personnel for the Bhopal India deaths and the responsible Exxon & BP executives for the Valdez spill. I'm not holding my breath on either.

Valdez — A Deliberate Act by Exxon and BP?

Don't let my blog post convince you. Follow the links. Valdez was no accident. At best, it was criminal negligence.

http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/crime-penalties/federal/Illegal-Dumping.htm

Lets ask a few questions..
WHO is responsible when a company does something?  WHO do we hold responsible..
Those UNDER the boss, are GENERALLY only doing what was asked.
And I dont think it should be 1 persons Fault.  AS most corps are controlled by groups/board members/and such..

WHO should hold the DENT to the problem?  I would hope NOT the share holders.  but they will.
Incompetence and malfeasance..
This should also reflect on the Maintenance that BP has done on the alaska pipe line that is falling apart.  AND COST THE TAX PAYER TONS OF MONEY..
Also, you should look up the Wiki on BP, they have had many names.  And each has gotten into hot water.

With the link, Iv given..What could all the states affected do??  As this is NOT in international waters.

WHO is responsible when a company does something?  WHO do we hold responsible..

In general, in the absence of specific memos coming to light that point to specific individuals, the CEO is responsible for everything that happens.

The president of a small mom & pop consulting company I worked for had a close relationship with the CEO of a moderately large corporation you've likely heard of (so I won't name them) from a time when the corp was much smaller. The pres of the mom & pop asked something of the CEO and got the response that "It was not my responsibility." The mom & pop president went on quite a rant explaining how the top officer of a company of any size is responsible for everything. Yes. He was including himself. One may delegate. But, the responsibility still falls on the top officer.