Feinberg's raise outrages spill victims

BALDWIN COUNTY, Alabama (WALA) - $400K MORE... PER MONTH

A substantial raise for Ken Feinberg’s firm has Gulf Coast residents fuming. The claims administrator’s firm is now being paid $1.25 million a month... a $400,000 increase.

When Stacey Simmons heard that Claims Administrator Ken Feinberg’s firm received a raise and is now getting paid $1.25 million a month, she was floored.

"It’s a joke. It’s a joke,” Simmons exclaimed. “How can somebody get a raise when they’re not even doing their job?”

Simmons, a mother of two, cleans rental homes. She told FOX10 business has been bad. She’s behind on her rent, her car payment, and other bills as she continues to wait for her claim to be paid.

"Somebody like me that’s put in for my final payment October 18, 2010 and sitting here today, March 28, with nothing,” Simmons said. “No response no nothing. It’s a joke.”

REASON FOR THE RAISE

Michael Mukasey, a former U.S. Attorney General retained by Feinberg to review the contract with BP, released a letter stating the reasons for the raise. The letter claims eight of the firms professionals now spend most of their time on claims and how one of the firm’s attorneys average daily hours have gone up from 6.4 to 7.9 hours.

”Absolutely ridiculous,” stated Al Sawyer, owner of King Neptune’s in Gulf Shores.

Sawyer said he’s mystified why Feinberg and his firm would get $400,000 more a month.

"Why is he getting a raise when we haven’t even gotten our money yet?” Sawyer asked.

PETITION TO FIRE

Even before hearing about the raise Simmons, along with some other friends, had started a petition calling for the firing of Feinberg.

"Somebody has to stand up and make a change. If we don’t get him out of here, we’re never going to see a dime,” Simmons said.

"No doubt about it. They need to fire him,” Sawyer agreed.

If you would like to sign the petition, click here .

If you would like to read Michael Mukasey’s letter stating the reason for the raise, click here .