The World

Judging the Judge

Like many judges in the Gulf region, the district judge who ruled against the Interior Department’s six-month moratorium on new deepwater drilling owned stock in offshore oil and gas companies. LOE explores why judges with oil ties are presiding over spil

New Orleans Judge Martin Feldman’s ruling to block the Obama administration’s six month moratorium
on new deep water oil drilling has not only angered the president and many environmental groups, but also has raised some eyebrows for another reason. That’s because Judge Feldman has owned stock in offshore energy companies. As Living on Earth’s Mitra Taj reports, many are asking why he didn’t recuse himself from the case.