CEO Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison and $250,000 Fine for Safety Violations in Massey Mine Blast

Massey Energy’s CEO, Don Blankenship, received the maximum sentence for engaging in a “dangerous conspiracy” to “willfully violate mandatory mine health and safety standards” before a deadly mine explosion that killed 29 individuals.  Blankenship was accused of placing profits before safety, and putting pressure on workers to look past hazards.  Blankenship was not charged with directly causing the explosion, and was cleared of the more serious charges of submitting false statements to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or he would have faced a significantly longer prison sentence.  In light of this ruling, management and business owners should take heed that their conduct in handling safety issues in the workplace may be subject to scrutiny following an accident, and cutting corners with regard to safety, or creating an atmosphere where employees feel encouraged to do so, could lead to being held personally, criminally accountable.

Questions on safety or other issues? Contact attorney James Sherman at (952) 746-1700 or email jasherman@wesselssherman.com