The Wall Street Journal Reports: “A federal jury convicts ex-BP engineer of destroying evidence about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.”

The WSJ reports:

“Prosecutors argued the engineer, Kurt Mix, deleted hundreds of text messages he sent and received from his supervisor and a contractor, in an effort to hide evidence the company knew more oil was leaking into the Gulf of Mexico than it had revealed publicly during the three-month spill.”

“Lawyers for Mr. Mix said the deleted items were mainly personal messages that mentioned the spill only in passing.”

“Mr. Mix was found guilty on one count of obstruction of justice for deleting messages to and from his boss, but acquitted on a second count involving a contractor, according to one of his lawyers.”

“Mr. Mix didn’t testify during trial. The count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced at a later date.”

For the whole story, see:

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304866904579266313512097346

Sentencing for Mr. Mix will be held on January 21.