Former coal executive says company took safety shortcuts under ex-CEO
by Associated Press in Charleston, West Virginia from on (#QQGN)
Former executive testifies Massey Energy was more concerned about having to pay fines than actually keeping mines safe under Don Blankenship
A former coal executive who was dealt a prison sentence for mine violations testified on Friday that his company sometimes took shortcuts to produce coal under his top boss, ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship.
Taking the stand in Blankenship's criminal trial, former Massey subsidiary president David Hughart said that under Blankenship and former COO Chris Adkins, the company was more concerned about having to pay fines than actually keeping mines safe. He said his mines would sometimes be short-handed and still producing coal.
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