Mining exec charged for giving “heads up” on MSHA inspections
Federal prosecutors this week filed criminal charges against a former Massey Energy executive in connection with illegal practices at mines owned by the company that operated the Upper Big Branch (UBB) mine, site of the worst mining disaster in U.S. history.
Although the charges against David Craig Hughart are not specifically related to UBB, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said they stem from an investigation into the April, 2010 explosion that killed 29 men.