Blankenship Sentencing Set For Next Year in West Virginia Mine Case

Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship will be sentenced next year on a conviction of conspiring to violate safety rules at the mine where a deadly explosion occurred.

U.S. District Judge Irene Berger on Dec. 10 scheduled Blankenship’s sentencing for April 6 in Charleston.

Blankenship was found guilty Dec. 3 of conspiring to willfully violate mine safety rules at West Virginia’s Upper Big Branch Mine, which exploded in 2010 and killed 29 men. He faces up to one year in prison for the misdemeanor.

He was acquitted on felonies that could have netted him 30 years.

Berger also approved Blankenship’s request to travel for the holidays.

His travel had been restricted to southern West Virginia; Pike County, Kentucky; and Washington, D.C.

Related:

• Blankenship Found Guilty of Conspiracy in W. Virginia Mine Blast
• Blankenship Jury Still Deadlocked in West Virginia Mine Blast Case
• Mine Worker Talks Safety Shortcuts in Blankenship Trial
• Blankenship Case in Limbo in West Virginia as Jurors Struggle to Reach Verdict
• Blankenship Pleads Not Guilty to Charges Linked to Massey Mine Explosion
• Defense Rests in West Virginia Mine Blast Trial, Blankenship Stays Mum
• Trial Update: Ex-Massey CEO Blankenship Downplayed Black-Lung Threat to Miners
• Massey Ex-CEO Blankenship Faces Criminal Charges Over 2010 Mine Explosion