Judge Calls for More Damages in Amoco Spill

CHICAGO —  A retired judge Tuesday recommended a $30-million increase in his $85.2-million judgment against Amoco Corp. for oil-spill damage from the 1978 wreck of a supertanker off the French coast.

The revised award would be shared by the government of France--which would receive the single largest portion, $44.4 million--and some 100 French towns affected by the spill that fouled 100 miles of coastline.

Frank McGarr, who retired as a U.S. District Court judge after his 1988 ruling, continues to serve as special master in the case and made the recommendation after being asked by parties in the case to reconsider the award.

The recommendation is subject to approval by another federal judge; no date has been set for a final judgment.

Both sides objected to the revised award as well and vowed to appeal. None of the money has been paid. The towns had received $7.3 million in the original judgment and sought an additional $8 million but received only $200,000 more.