BP Gets U.S. Demand For Notice Of Asset Sales

Order underlines the U.S. government's intense scrutiny of BP

LONDON — BP PLC confirmed Wednesday that it received a demand from U.S. authorities for advance notice of any asset sales or significant cash transfers.

The Financial Times reported that U.S. Assistant Attorney General Tony West, who heads the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, wrote to Rupert Bondy, BP's general counsel, on June 23. Normally the U.S. Justice Department does not require advance notice of such deals.

"We have received the letter, and have not yet responded," said BP press officer Sheila Williams. "We will be responding in due course."

She declined to say whether the Justice Department had set a deadline.

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