Former Coal Mine Chief Executive Indicted for Conditions Causing Deadly Blast
Published at | Updated at
Ingram Publishing/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Don Blankenship, the former chief executive of the company responsible for the April 2010 coal mine explosion in West Virginia that killed 29 workers, now faces federal charges that he allegedly help create conditions leading to the blast by pressuring mine managers to violate safety regulations.
The indictment was the result of a four-year investigation.
Blankenship quit as CEO of Massey Energy Co. eight months after the coal mine explosion, the deadliest in the U.S. in 40 years.
Among the counts, Blankenship is charged with conspiracy to violate safety laws at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Montcoal, West Virginia.
Prosecutors maintain that the former CEO micro-managed operations at the mine, often putting profits ahead of safety. If found guilty on all counts, Blankenship could wind up in prison for up to 31 years.
Claiming his client was a tireless advocate for mine safety, attorney William W. Taylor III said Blankenship “is entirely innocent of these charges. He will fight them and he will be acquitted.”
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio