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94 Seeking Restitution From Former Massey Energy CEO
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Ninety-four people are seeking restitution from former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship as he prepares for sentencing on Wednesday.
The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports Blankenship’s defense team filed a motion late Friday asking the federal court judge to deny the claims. The motion says the claims seek money that the restitution statute does not authorize.
Defense lawyers also argue that assessing each claim individually could take months.
Blankenship faces up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for engaging in a conspiracy to violate federal mine safety and health standards at the Upper Big Branch Mine prior to the April 2010 explosion that killed 29 miners.
The judge has not ruled on a request from the government for a separate hearing to address restitution issues.