W.Va. Official: Feds Investigating Patriot Mine
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Updated: 9:15 AM Feb 23, 2010
W.Va. Official: Feds Investigating Patriot Mine
West Virginia mine safety chief Ron Wooten says federal authorities are investigating allegations that safety examination records were falsified at a Patriot Coal underground mine.
Posted: 9:15 AM Feb 23, 2010
Reporter: The Associated Press
Email Address: anna.baxter@wsaz.com
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- West Virginia mine safety chief Ron Wooten says federal authorities are investigating allegations that safety examination records were falsified at a Patriot Coal underground mine.

Wooten told the Charleston Gazette that federal prosecutors sent out five "target letters" to individuals at Patriot's Federal No. 2 mine.

Wooten says a state probe of the Monongalia County mine halted after the federal investigation began. He says witnesses declined to talk to state inspectors because of worries about a federal criminal probe.

A spokeswoman for Acting U.S. Attorney Betsy C. Jividen declined to comment or to confirm the existence of an investigation.

Patriot announced Monday that it has temporarily closed the mine due to dangerous atmospheric conditions in a sealed area.


Latest Comments

Posted by: ..... on Feb 25, 2010 at 08:01 AM

We have an administration that now is actually enforcing regulation that has been on the books for over 30 years. Its a culture change that most mines aren't really prepared for.....
Posted by: anonymous on Feb 23, 2010 at 06:03 PM

thats it stupid people lets get rid of coal mines the back bone of this state then you can put wv up for sale.
Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 23, 2010 at 04:26 PM

Every coal mine has doctored the books,always have always will
$310,000,000
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