Feinberg takes the heat in Orange Beach

ORANGE BEACH, Alabama (WALA) - FEINBERG IN ORANGE BEACH

Claims administrator Ken Feinberg was back in Orange Beach Tuesday afternoon for another public meeting. Hundreds of people showed up to voice their displeasure and ask Feinberg questions. The meeting lasted just a little over an hour and about 45 minutes of that was devoted to Q&A. Not enough time for Feinberg to hear all the issues, but he did get an earful.

FRUSTRATION

“I can’t even buy groceries for my kids. My kids did not have Christmas. My daughter’s birthday was January 1. No birthday for her,” Orange Beach housekeeper Stacy Simmons said.

“I want someone who can give me some input on my claim. Why did you pay me only 16 percent? Because of my figures? I don’t think so. I had them professionally done. I don’t think so,” restaurant supplier Tom Watson said.

Florida State Representative Doug Broxson brought a display to show how many claims were denied in December alone: 151,000.

“What I want him to do is let the 33 claims offices do their job and give them some authority,” Broxson said. “Let these people do their jobs rather than funneling up to Dublin, Ohio, where nothing happens.”

FEINBERG TAKES ISSUE

A lot of the folks at the meeting had received claims checks. The problem for many is they weren’t for nearly what they asked for. After the meeting, FOX10 News pressed Feinberg on this issue.

“It’s one thing to ask for wishful thinking. I mentioned in there two people filed for all of the $20 million,” Feinberg said.

FOX10 News noted that a lot of people have CPA-certified claims.

“I agree there are more than a few claimants underpaid during the payment process. That is why we’ll take another look at how these emergency payments were calculated and true up the amount in conjunction with the final or interim payment,” Feinberg said.

At the meeting, Feinberg also said that $10 billion of the $20 billion would likely be sufficient to pay claimants. In the interview, he didn’t back down from that statement.

”We’ll see once the claims come in,” Feinberg said. “I think $10 billion should be enough. Again I don’t hold myself to that. We’ll have to wait and see.”

It’s worth noting that whatever is left over from the $20 billion goes back to BP.