Coal Executive Finally Brought Up on Criminal Charges

[Judi Lynn]

October 6, 2015
Coal Executive Finally Brought Up on Criminal Charges

by David Macaray

Those who can still recall Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch (in Montcoal, West Virginia) disaster, on April 5, 2010, where a mammoth coal mine explosion killed 29 miners, will be pleased to learn that Don Blankenship, the former CEO of Massey Energy, is finally being brought to trial.

Given what we now know of events that led up to the explosion (i.e., poor ventilation had created a deadly build-up of methane gas which was ignited by a random spark), what was originally referred to as a “terrible disaster” or “tragic accident” can more accurately be labeled “negligent homicide.”

It took more than five years to get this unconscionably greedy and devious bastard to face criminal charges, but they finally managed to do it. Blankenship faces four counts, including conspiring to violate health and safety codes, lying to the SEC, and defrauding federal regulators. If found guilty on all counts, the 65-year Blankenship could spend the rest of his life in prison.

On June 28, 2010, federal regulators announced they had discovered that Massey Energy was keeping two sets of “books” (safety logs), with one set reflecting actual mine safety conditions (which, alas, were in egregious violation of code), and the other set serving as a fictionalized showpiece, the equivalent of a Potemkin village, used to mislead government safety inspectors.

More:
http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/10/06/coal-executive-finally-brought-up-on-criminal-charges/

[Sisterwife15]

1. He was indicted a year ago

And even jury selection is taking forever......
http://www.wsaz.com/home/headlines/Fifth-Day-of-Jury-Selection-in-Don-Blankenship-Trial-330982782.html?device=phone&dtype=android&device=phone&c=y

[appalachiablue]

2. It's hard to think of a corporate player not on Wall Street who has more

avarice and callousness than vile coal baron Don Blankenship of Massey Energy. I hope they throw the book at him, fine him heavily along with the standard platinum resort day residence given to convicted CEOs and the rich.

[Panich52]

3. Blankenship's defense is that he's a champion of mine safety. What a fkn joke!