Internal Probe: No Fraud At Alabama Claims Center

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The head of security for the administrator of BP's multibillion-dollar settlement with Gulf Coast residents and businesses says an internal probe of alleged misconduct by an employee of a Mobile, Ala., claims center hasn't turned up any evidence of fraud.

BP said it received a tip in July that someone who worked at the Mobile office helped people submit fraudulent claims in exchange for a portion of awards.

But David Welker, a former FBI supervisor who now works for claims administrator Patrick Juneau, says in a letter dated Aug. 22 that his investigation found no evidence of fraud in any of the claims handled by the employee.

BP cited the employee's alleged misconduct in its Aug. 5 request for a federal judge to temporarily suspend all settlement payments.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.