Marine News, August 7, 2013: British gas company BP plc has discovered new evidence of fraud and improper payments in its relief payout program associated with its Gulf oil spill disaster. Filing a report in the US District Court, New Orleans, the company demanded all further payments to claimants to be halted with immediate effect.

The Court Supervised Settlement Program (CSSP) was framed for the rehabilitation of victims and their families affected in the April 20, 2010 disaster in BP’s Macondo oil well. The incident killed 11 people and was reported as the largest US offshore oil spill.

The CSSP has sacked two employees for helping people in fraudulent claims in return of a share in the payments received. BP has so far paid $3.1 billion through the payout program. An investigation into the payout program is to be conducted by former FBI Director Louis.