Massey Ex-CEO Blankenship found guilty in UBB mine blast
Prosecutor: It's a "landmark day" for coal miner safety
In an outcome described as “unprecedented” by a federal prosecutor, former Massey Energy Co. CEO Don Blankenship was found guilty of violating safety regulations at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia, which led to the 2010 explosion that killed 29 workers.
It was a mixed verdict for Blankenship, who could have faced 30 years in prison had he been convicted of the more serious charges involving securities fraud and making false statements.