April 13, 2010
Federal Prosecutor Will “Work Vigorously” if Asked to Investigate Criminal Violations at Upper Big Branch Mine
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Charleston, WV (HNN) – Amid calls for the resignation of Massey Energy CEO, Don Blankenship, comes word , in a press release, that the office of U.S. Attorney, Charles Miller, has not yet been asked to enter the Upper Big Branch investigation. Despite the tragedy, Standard & Poors elevated Massey Energy from "hold" to "buy" status on Monday.
However, Massey Energy is no stranger to criminal investigations in the Southern District of West Virginia. The company paid fines and penalties relating to the Aracoma Alma #1 mine fire in January 2006. $4.2 million dollars in restitution covered citations from MSHA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office Investigation.
U.S. Attorney Miller said Monday, April 12, in a press release: “If the investigation undertaken by the Mine Safety and Health Administration reveals criminal violations have occurred, we will work vigorously with the investigators to pursue those offenses to the fullest extent of the law.
Miller’s office indicated that the system that vents methane and build ups of combustible dust had been repeated citations at the Upper Big Branch mine.
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Federal Prosecutor Will “Work Vigorously” if Asked to Investigate Criminal Violations at Upper Big Branch Mine
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Charleston, WV (HNN) – Amid calls for the resignation of Massey Energy CEO, Don Blankenship, comes word , in a press release, that the office of U.S. Attorney, Charles Miller, has not yet been asked to enter the Upper Big Branch investigation. Despite the tragedy, Standard & Poors elevated Massey Energy from "hold" to "buy" status on Monday.
However, Massey Energy is no stranger to criminal investigations in the Southern District of West Virginia. The company paid fines and penalties relating to the Aracoma Alma #1 mine fire in January 2006. $4.2 million dollars in restitution covered citations from MSHA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office Investigation.
U.S. Attorney Miller said Monday, April 12, in a press release: “If the investigation undertaken by the Mine Safety and Health Administration reveals criminal violations have occurred, we will work vigorously with the investigators to pursue those offenses to the fullest extent of the law.
Miller’s office indicated that the system that vents methane and build ups of combustible dust had been repeated citations at the Upper Big Branch mine.
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