A USA jury convicted Blankenship of conspiring to wilfully violate mine safety standards at a West Virginia coal mine that exploded in 2010.
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These separate plea deals preceded Blankenship’s conviction on conspiracy charges, which carry a maximum one year sentence which will potentially be determined on March 23 when U.S. District Judge Irene Berger set as a tentative date for a sentence hearing.
When a federal grand jury indicted him one year ago, the charges also included “lying to the Securities and Exchange Commission about the company’s safety practices and stock purchases”, as NPR’s Howard Berkes reported.
“This conspiracy was the primary cause of an enormous explosion that killed 29 men in the worst mine disaster in 40 years”, Steinzor said. The truth that was common knowledge in the coalfields-that Don Blankenship cared little for the safety and health of miners working for his company and even less for the laws enforcing their rights-has finally been proven in court. He was also accused of deceiving investors and regulators, and making false statements and security fraud.
Although Blankenship, a former chief executive of Massey Energy Co., could claim a measure of victory, his lawyers said that they would appeal the verdict, which came after a trial that began with jury selection on October 1.
ASHTON MARRA, BYLINE: Dozens of West Virginians gathered outside the Charleston courthouse awaiting the verdict – guilty on one misdemeanor charge, not guilty on two felony counts.
Blankenship “pushed and he pushed and he pushed, and laws were intentionally broken”, R. Booth Goodwin, the federal prosecutor, said in closing arguments. May, an Upper Big Branch Mine superintendent, admitted that he plotted with “others known and unknown” to put coal production ahead of worker safety and to hide the resulting hazards on numerous occasions at the UBB operation.
Defense Attorney William Taylor said he does not expect Blankenship to spend any time behind bars. The explosion and subsequent collapse killed 29 miners.
Jurors have resumed deliberations in ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship’s trial.
The six-week trial featured testimony from former Massey executives and coal miners and the inclusion of more than 400 trial exhibits, including phone conversations secretly taped by Mr. Blankenship. “The case should have never been brought”, Taylor said. Indeed, it should send a message to CEOs across the country: “No more recklessly endangering workers’ lives, and you will be held criminally liable if your actions – and inaction – cost lives”.
The disaster at Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia was the deadliest mining accident in the United States in decades.
And prosecutors noted that justice isn’t only measured by the prison sentence.
Assistant US Attorney Steve Ruby said the core of the case dealt with violation of mine safety laws. If you would like to discuss another topic, look for a relevant article.
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