Blankenship

Prosecutors say the only thing novel about the conviction of ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship was that it targeted a major company’s CEO, and not low-ranking miners. Prosecutors defended Blankenship’s conviction in a 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals filing Monday. Blankenship reported to a California prison May 12 to serve a one-year sentence for conspiring to willfully violate mine safety standards at West Virginia’s Upper Big Branch coal mine. The mine exploded in 2010, killing 29 men.