Hearing set in suit against oil spill fund admin

JACKSON, Miss. – A hearing has been scheduled in the Mississippi attorney general's lawsuit against the administrator of BP's $20 billion oil spill fund over access to claims filed by coastal residents.

Jim Hood said Tuesday he's tried to negotiate with the fund's administrator, Washington lawyer Kenneth Feinberg. He says he's seeking to make the process more transparent so people will know if Feinberg is looking out for the best interests of oil spill victims or BP.

Hood filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Hinds County Chancery Court in Jackson. A hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 15.

Feinberg said Tuesday in a phone interview with The Associated Press that, "Our lawyers will respond in the ordinary course." He had no other immediate comment.