Feds indict former coal executive in 2010 explosion

Former coal company executive Don Blankenship has been indicted on federal charges stemming from a 2010 explosion that killed 29 miners.

A federal grand jury indicted Blankenship, former chief executive officer of Massey Energy, on Thursday for charges related to a federal investigation after the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia, The Associated Press reported.

{mosads}The charges include conspiracy to violate mine safety and health laws, conspiracy to impede federal investigators, making false statements to the Securities and Exchange Commission and securities fraud, the AP said.

The charges carry a maximum of 31 years in prison.

Federal attorneys accused Blankenship of conspiring between 2008 and 2010 to warn mine supervisors about upcoming investigations, allowing them to hide problems.

He later made false statements to securities officials.

Blankenship has denied any wrongdoing, according to the AP.

Investigations into the fatal explosion blamed faulty cutting equipment for creating a spark that ignited coal dust and natural gas.

Four Massey employees have already been indicted due to the explosion, including a mine superintendent and a unit president at Massey.