CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Reuters) - Former Massey Energy Chief Executive Don Blankenship was sentenced to a year in prison and fined $250,000 on Wednesday for his role in a 2010 West Virginia coal mine explosion that killed 29 workers.
Blankenship, known as West Virginia’s “king of coal” for his rags-to-riches background and tough approach to business, was given the maximum sentence for the misdemeanor conviction by U.S. District Judge Irene Berger. He also was sentenced to a year of supervised probation after release.
Blankenship, who headed Massey from 2000 to 2010, was convicted in December of conspiring to falsify dust samples at the Upper Big Branch mine, site of the blast. He was acquitted on felony charges related to the accident.
“I want to express sorrow to the families for what happened and I hope that what I have to say can help them find peace,” Blankenship, 66, said before sentencing.
He thanked his supporters and called those who died “great coal miners.” Blankenship’s lawyers said they would appeal the sentence.
Relatives of those killed and prosecutors have hailed the conviction as sending a message on mine safety in coal-rich West Virginia.
The sentencing marks a dramatic turnaround for Blankenship, who for decades been one of West Virginia’s most influential figures. As head of Massey Energy, the largest coal producer in Appalachia, he employed thousands of people and operated more than 40 mines.
Former Massey Energy Chief Executive Don Blankenship is talking on his mobile phone as he walks into the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse in Charleston, West Virginia in this December 3, 2015 file photo. REUTERS/Chris Tilley/Files
Berger said Blankenship would have a 10-day period before he must surrender.
The blast that tore through the Upper Big Branch mine, about 40 miles (65 km) south of Charleston, took place about 1,000 feet (300 m) underground and about three miles (five km) inside.
Former Massey Energy Chief Executive Don Blankenship (3rd L) and his attorney Bill Taylor (4th R) are met by media outside the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse in Charleston, West Virginia in this December 3, 2015 file photo. REUTERS/Chris Tilley/Files
Federal investigators have said a fire caused by a methane or natural gas leak likely set off the coal dust explosion. Worn teeth on cutting equipment may have showered the area with sparks that set off the leak.
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat who was West Virginia governor when the disaster occurred, said it had caused the state to put the safety of workers first.
“No sentence is severe enough and no amount of time in jail time will heal the hearts of the families who have been forever devastated,” he said in a statement.
The death toll was the highest in a U.S. mine accident since 91 workers died in a 1972 Idaho silver mine fire.
Massey Energy was bought in 2011 by Alpha Natural Resources Inc ANRZQ.PK for about $7 billion.
Don Blankenship 
Businessman Don Blankenship of West Virginia, the U.S. Constitution Party's 2020 presidential nominee, answered some questions about his campaign from ''Wikinews'' accredited reporter William S. Saturn.

Blankenship, reportedly nicknamed the "king of coal", was chairman and CEO of  from 2000 to 2010.  During his tenure, the  occurred, which resulted in the deaths of 29 miners.  A jury convicted Blankenship of misdemeanor conspiracy to violate safety standards willfully, and he received a one year prison sentence in 2016.  He maintains his innocence and blames federal regulators for the disaster.  After his release from prison, Blankenship ran unsuccessfully for the Republican Party's US Senate  in West Virginia.  He subsequently sought the Constitution Party's nomination for President.  At the virtual 2020  this past May, Blankenship won the party's nomination on the second ballot.  He selected  chairman  as his running mate.  Mohr spoke about Blankenship with ''Wikinews'' in June, describing him as "a good man with vast knowledge in the political field who stands firm on his positions, aligns well with the party platform and has an abundance of ability to lead this nation in the direction it needs to go."  Mohr lauded Blankenship's "ability to influence leaders around him" and claimed the nominee "has a backbone superior to most men and will be the strongest President we have seen in decades." 

The Constitution Party was founded in 1991 as the U.S. Taxpayers Party.  It changed to its current name in 1999.  The party advocates , gun rights, limited government, protectionism, and non-interventionism. It strongly opposes abortion and illegal immigration.  In 2016, the party's presidential nominee  received 203,091 votes (0.15 percent) with ballot access in 24 states.  The Blankenship-Mohr ticket is on the ballot in 18 states with write-in access in a few others.

With ''Wikinews'', Blankenship discussed his background, the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on his campaign, what a Blankenship presidency would entail, and policy matters. Additionally, he delivered his final plea to voters ahead of Election Day.