7 Charged With Filing False Gulf Oil Spill Claims

Federal prosecutors are charging seven people with mail fraud and false claims related to the BP oil spill.

U.S. Attorney Pamela Marsh said that five of those charged had been employees at a Pensacola Beach restaurant during the time of the 2010 oil spill. Prosecutors allege they asked for compensation from the claims fund set up by BP but inflated the amount of their lost income.

Prosecutors also allege another restaurant employee falsely claimed he had lost his job at a Pensacola Beach Hooters when he actually worked at a different location. Prosecutors also said he did not lose his job due to the spill.

An Atlanta man was indicted after prosecutors contended he lied about losing a contract with the Pensacola Beach Hooters due to the oil spill.