Federal prosecutors in West Virginia filed criminal charges on Wednesday against a former senior supervisor of the Upper Big Branch coal mine, where an explosion killed 29 miners in April 2010.

Gary May, 43, was charged with felony conspiracy for what prosecutors said was his role in thwarting federal inspectors in their efforts to enforce safety regulations at Upper Big Branch. The mine was owned by Massey Energy at the time of the explosion and purchased in June 2011 by Alpha Natural Resources.

The charges were filed directly with the court, rather than with a grand jury, suggesting that May is cooperating with authorities. May, the highest-ranking mine official charged so far, faces up to five years in prison if found guilty. Prosecutors said the investigation is "absolutely" not over.

May's testimony could implicate high-ranking corporate executives at Massey Energy in safety violations and fraud, including Don. L. Blankenship, the company's former CEO, said Mark D. Moreland, a West Virginia attorney who represents several families of miners who died at Upper Big Branch.

"The way that Massey Energy managed its mines was very hands-on by corporate[...]

[Published in GreenNews - Read the original article]