December 03, 2015

Manchin Statement on Conviction of Don Blankenship

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued the following statement after a jury convicted former Massey Energy chief executive Don Blankenship on criminal charges of conspiracy to break safety regulations, but not guilty of the two securities charges at the Upper Big Branch mine:

“After a long and exhaustive trial, I am pleased the jury’s decision today has brought some measure of justice to one of the most tragic mining disasters in recent history. With this verdict, the state of West Virginia has set precedents and signaled that we will not allow the prioritization of production and profits over the safety of our workers. While nothing can ever bring back the 29 beloved souls who we lost on that tragic day, I hope that today brings some closure and peace to the families of the miners.”

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