"Blackfish" Director Responds To SeaWorld's Allegations
ORLANDO (CBSMiami/AP) — SeaWorld questioned a director's contact with an Occupational Safety and Health Administration last week for the making of the documentary "Blackfish".
Now, the director of the documentary that explored a killer whale's involvement in the death of a SeaWorld trainer says a Labor Department investigator who probed the incident didn't provide filmmakers with any confidential documents.
In a statement to The Associated Press, "Blackfish" director Gabriela Cowperthwaite said that OSHA investigator Lara Padgett wasn't part of its production and she "along with her OSHA colleagues, declined repeated requests to participate in Blackfish."
Cowperthwaite said she's "looking forward to a day when SeaWorld honestly and transparently addresses animal welfare and trainer safety."
SeaWorld filed a complaint last week alleging Padgett engaged in unethical conduct by providing filmmakers with government documents. The allegations were turned over to Office of the Inspector General.
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)