Texas state senator calls for criminal investigation of Phillips plant

BAYTOWN, Texas (AP) -- A state senator has asked state and federal officials in Texas for a criminal investigation of Phillips Petroleum Co.'s plant in Pasadena after last month's explosion that

Thursday, April 13th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BAYTOWN, Texas (AP) -- A state senator has asked state and federal officials in Texas for a criminal investigation of Phillips Petroleum Co.'s plant in Pasadena after last month's explosion that killed one worker and injured 74 others.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the FBI already are investigating the March 27 blast at the Bartlesville, Oklahoma based company's facility in Pasadena.

State Sen. Mario Gallegos Jr., D-Galena Park, has asked Texas Attorney General John Cornyn, Harris County District Attorney John B. Holmes and the U.S. Attorney to scrutinize Phillips' operations.

The Phillips plant along the Houston Ship Channel has been the site of several explosions, including one in 1989 that killed 28 people and injured more than 100 others and another last June that killed two and injured four.

"Nobody asked me to initiate this," Gallegos told The Baytown Sun. "If there is a hellacious explosion, all the businesses along the channel are at risk. You've got to feel for the families who live and work around here. I hope something is done."

The Texas attorney general's office has referred the matter to the Harris County District Attorney's office because it doesn't have criminal jurisdiction on the case, spokeswoman Heather Brown said.

Roger Haseman, a Harris County assistant district attorney in the environmental division, said Holmes has determined it is premature for his office to open an investigation while the OSHA and FBI investigations are under way. OSHA has six months to complete its investigation.

"We have to let the professionals complete their work," Haseman said. "At this point, you don't know if there is any criminal wrongdoing, and it would be premature to speculate."