Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 23, 1991 TAG: 9103230135
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ANCHORAGE, ALASKA LENGTH: Medium
U.S. District Judge Russel Holland allowed the pleas but delayed sentencing until he gathers public comment on the plea agreement.
"I will accept a change of plea," he said. "We will not impose any sentence. I will not decide today whether I will or will not accept the plea agreement."
If Holland rejects the agreement, the nation's third largest corporation can withdraw its pleas. If he accepts it, federal felony charges against the oil company will be dropped.
"I intend to solicit information about the impact of the spill from individual victims," the judge said. The court will advertise for comment in newspapers and accept written remarks from the public until April 11. Holland set sentencing for April 24.
Exxon President Lawrence Rawl entered the company's guilty plea to a misdemeanor violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Exxon Shipping President Augustus Elmer entered the subsidiary's guilty pleas to three misdemeanor violations of the Refuse and Clean Water acts.
Thursday, the Alaska Legislature asked the court to delay consideration of the plea agreement until May 3 to give lawmakers time to review it.
The plea bargain is a key part of the settlement announced last week by Gov. Walter Hickel, federal officials and Exxon. Under the settlement, Exxon would pay a record $100 million criminal fine.
The agreement also would settle state and federal civil claims against Exxon stemming from the spill. Exxon would pay $900 million over 11 years, with the money going into a trust to pay for cleanup and restoration of Prince William Sound.
The Exxon Valdez ran aground in the sound in March 1989, spilling nearly 11 million gallons of crude oil.
by CNB