Judge Who Ruled On Drilling Moratorium Could Be Challenged

[eowyn_of_rohan]

Source: DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Investments made by the New Orleans judge who overturned the Obama administration's six-month drilling moratorium could serve as the foundation for a challenge to the judge's rulings in the case.

Financial records released Friday showed U.S. District Court Judge Martin Feldman owned stock in Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) and other energy companies in the days before he made his ruling on June 22.

The news prompted immediate criticism because Exxon Mobil was one of the companies affected by the administration's moratorium, having used a rig in which drilling was suspended under the ban.

Under federal law, federal judges are prohibited from participating in cases in which they have a financial interest in participants or outcomes of the case. They are also prohibited from cases in which they would have the appearance of a conflict. "I think the test needs to be: Does the judge have investments where every day of a moratorium might have a financial impact on the judge?" said Kate Gordon, vice president for energy policy at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. "And I think you do have that."

A request to the judge for comment wasn't returned.


Read more: http://www.automatedtrader.net/real-time-dow-jones/2251/judge-who-ruled-on-drilling-moratorium-could-be-challenged

[Lil Missy]

1. the unabashed hubris of right wingers is staggering

[Art_from_Ark]

2. Overturn that ruling!

And investigate that judge!

[EFerrari]

3. K&R

[earcandle]

4. They better overturn it! This is fraud and collusion.

[earcandle]

5. Not to mention, insubordinate to our President!

[Democat]

6. "Could Be"?

If this was a liberal judge they would be talking about impeachment, not appeal.