bump.
they're trying to payoff the families.
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bump.
they're trying to payoff the families.
Sorry for shite formatting... probably better if you just go to the npr site.
--AS
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
By Howard Berkes and Dina Temple-Raston
Updated at 3:25 pm ET --
A federal law-enforcement source is denying that the Mine Safety and Health Administration is being investigated as part of a larger probe into the circumstances surrounding the Upper Big Branch mine disaster in West Virginia.
NPR has reported that Massey Energy and MSHA were the subjects of investigations.
The federal law enforcement source said: "I can say that there's an investigation but it's not about them (MSHA)"
NPR stands by its earlier report.
--- original post below ---
NPR News has learned that the Mine Safety and Health Administration is one subject of a federal criminal investigation surrounding the explosion of the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia three weeks ago -- a disaster that killed 29 miners. The probe also looks at Massey Energy, the owner of the mine.
Sources familiar with the investigation say the FBI is looking into possible bribery of employees of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the federal agency that inspects and regulates mining. The sources say FBI agents are also exploring potential criminal negligence on the part of Massey Energy, the owner of the Upper Big Branch mine.
Massey has been cited repeatedly for violations of federal safety regulations and unsubstantiated rumors have circulated for years that mine inspectors and other officials receive payoffs. The FBI declines comment and neither confirms nor denies that an investigation is ongoing.
In a statement to NPR, Massey Energy says it is not aware of the allegations, and is fully cooperating with any investigations taking place. The Mine Safety and Health Administration has yet to respond to a request for comment.
(Howard Berkes is an NPR correspondent who focuses on rural affairs. The audio of his report follows. Dina Temple-Raston is an NPR correspondent who focuses on national security and counterterrorism.)
Update at 11:55 a.m. ET: This report is part of an ongoing NPR News Investigation into safety at the nation's mines. Earlier this month, Howard and NPR's Robert Benincasa reported about a pattern of safety violations at Massey Energy mines. And Howard has reported about how Massey CEO Don Blankenship's pay soared even as safety violations and injuries at the company's facilities went up.
Update at 12:35 p.m. ET. The Associated Press is now reporting that:
"The FBI has interviewed nearly two dozen current and former employees of Massey Energy in a criminal probe of the West Virginia mine explosion that killed 29 men, a federal law enforcement official said Friday."
Owner Of W. Va. Mine Where 29 Died
10:08 am
April 30, 2010
comments (24)
Recommend (18)
(This post has several updates. Be sure to click your "refresh" button to see the latest.)
By Howard Berkes and Dina Temple-Raston
Updated at 3:25 pm ET --
A federal law-enforcement source is denying that the Mine Safety and Health Administration is being investigated as part of a larger probe into the circumstances surrounding the Upper Big Branch mine disaster in West Virginia.
NPR has reported that Massey Energy and MSHA were the subjects of investigations.
The federal law enforcement source said: "I can say that there's an investigation but it's not about them (MSHA)"
NPR stands by its earlier report.
--- original post below ---
NPR News has learned that the Mine Safety and Health Administration is one subject of a federal criminal investigation surrounding the explosion of the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia three weeks ago -- a disaster that killed 29 miners. The probe also looks at Massey Energy, the owner of the mine.
Sources familiar with the investigation say the FBI is looking into possible bribery of employees of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the federal agency that inspects and regulates mining. The sources say FBI agents are also exploring potential criminal negligence on the part of Massey Energy, the owner of the Upper Big Branch mine.
Massey has been cited repeatedly for violations of federal safety regulations and unsubstantiated rumors have circulated for years that mine inspectors and other officials receive payoffs. The FBI declines comment and neither confirms nor denies that an investigation is ongoing.
In a statement to NPR, Massey Energy says it is not aware of the allegations, and is fully cooperating with any investigations taking place. The Mine Safety and Health Administration has yet to respond to a request for comment.
(Howard Berkes is an NPR correspondent who focuses on rural affairs. The audio of his report follows. Dina Temple-Raston is an NPR correspondent who focuses on national security and counterterrorism.)
Update at 11:55 a.m. ET: This report is part of an ongoing NPR News Investigation into safety at the nation's mines. Earlier this month, Howard and NPR's Robert Benincasa reported about a pattern of safety violations at Massey Energy mines. And Howard has reported about how Massey CEO Don Blankenship's pay soared even as safety violations and injuries at the company's facilities went up.
Update at 12:35 p.m. ET. The Associated Press is now reporting that:
"The FBI has interviewed nearly two dozen current and former employees of Massey Energy in a criminal probe of the West Virginia mine explosion that killed 29 men, a federal law enforcement official said Friday."Update at 12:45 p.m. ET. A short time ago, Howard spoke with Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep about the story:
Update at 12:50 p.m. ET. Massey Energy just released this statement "regarding a National Public Radio report about an investigation by the FBI":
"Massey has no knowledge of criminal wrongdoing."It is not uncommon that an accident of the size and scope of UBB would lead to a comprehensive investigation by relevant law enforcement agencies."We are cooperating with all agencies that are investigating the tragedy at UBB. Massey does not and will not tolerate any improper or illegal conduct and will respond aggressively as circumstances warrant."Massey Energy Company, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, with operations in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia, is the largest coal producer in Central Appalachia and is included in the S&P 500 Index."
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/...cials_and.html
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...,7442514.storyQuote:
The owner of the West Virginia coal mine where a fiery explosion killed 29 miners last year has agreed to pay a record $209 million in compensation and fines, officials said Tuesday, but the financial settlement does not stop other investigations into the disaster at the Upper Big Branch mine.
...209 million......could reach a billion..
My understanding, which for all I know could be wrong, is that Massey is off the hook criminally.
Civil liability is still there as Dan just alluded to ("could reach a billion.") The principals may still face criminal charges -- and will certainly be sued severally -- pending the outcome of "other investigations."
Off the hook at one level? Does the state get a whack too?
(perplexing)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-rt...543,full.storyQuote:
Gary May, 43, of Bloomingrose, West Virginia, is the
highest-ranking official at Massey Energy to face criminal
charges in the worst accident in the U.S. mining industry in
four decades.
Massey Energy owned the Upper Big Branch mine at the time of
the explosion on April 5, 2010.
"Mine safety and health laws were routinely violated at UBB,
in part because of a belief that following those laws would
decrease coal production," the charges said.
May is accused of conspiring to impede enforcement efforts
by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) at
Upper Big Branch for more than two years before the blast, R.
Booth Goodwin, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West
Virginia, said in a statement.
sameQuote:
The company has said it believes a crack in the mine floor
released large amounts of methane and the disaster could not
have been prevented.
Blankenship indicted, faces 31 year sentence if convicted:
- See more at: http://www.wvgazette.com/article/201....TFdiVTV2.dpufQuote:
Don Blankenship, the longtime chief executive officer of Massey Energy, was indicted Thursday on charges that he orchestrated the routine violation of key federal mine safety rules at the company’s Upper Big Branch Mine prior to an April 2010 explosion that killed 29 miners.
A federal grand jury in Charleston charged Blankenship with conspiring to cause willful violations of ventilation requirements and coal-dust control rules — meant to prevent deadly mine blasts —during a 15-month period prior to the worst coal-mining disaster in a generation.
The four-count indictment, filed in U.S. District Court, also alleges that Blankenship led a conspiracy to cover up mine safety violations and hinder federal enforcement efforts by providing advance warning of government inspections.
“Blankenship knew that UBB was committing hundreds of safety-law violations every year and that he had the ability to prevent most of the violations that UBB was committing,” the indictment states. “Yet he fostered and participated in an understanding that perpetuated UBB’s practice of routine safety violations, in order to produce more coal, avoid the costs of following safety laws, and make more money.”
The indictment also alleges that, after the explosion, Blankenship made false statements to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the investing public about Massey’s safety practices before the explosion.
The three felonies and one misdemeanor carry a maximum combined penalty of 31 years imprisonment, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said in a prepared statement. He would not comment beyond the prepared statement.
find the indictment here:
http://www.wvgazette.com/assets/PDF/CH62291113.pdf
Here's one great reason the Repugs want NPR/CPB killed:
http://www.npr.org/templates/search/...rchinput=mines
won't get investigative reporting like that from Fox, Breitbart, O'Keefe :lol
Anybody here ever got a $1M fine from a federal court or from the IRS and just ignored it with no consequences? :lol
Time to take Blankeship to civil court, cause the criminal trial sentencing was a joke....
Former coal CEO sentenced to prison for US mining disaster
6 April 2016 US & Canada
Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35983364Quote:
The former CEO of a coal company has been sentenced to a year in prison for a mine explosion that killed 29 men.
Ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship was convicted of misdemeanour conspiracy to violate mine safety standards.
The 2010 Upper Big Branch mine disaster in West Virginia was the deadliest mine explosion in decades.
Mr Blankenship expressed sorrow but denied he was responsible during the sentencing hearing.
A judge also gave him the maximum fine of $250,000 (£165,000).
-snip-
One year for 29 lives...