Blankenship Doesn’t Have to Pay Restitution

A judge has ruled that an ex-energy company CEO does not have to pay $28 million in restitution related to the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion in 2010 that killed 29 men. In her order issued Monday, Judge Irene Berger said ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship doesn’t have to pay Alpha Natural Resources for legal fees paid for former Massey employees, cooperation with investigators and fines. Blankenship was convicted Dec. 3 of a misdemeanor conspiracy to willfully violate mine safety standards. Berger wrote that Alpha incurred the financial hardships at least a year after Blankenship’s indictment period, after Alpha bought Massey in 2011 and voluntarily entered a non-prosecution agreement with the government. Blankenship’s sentencing is Wednesday. He faces up to a year in prison and a $250,000 fine.