U.S. attorney denies reports of bribery investigation following Massey mine explosion

In April, we excerpted a National Public Radio report that the Mine Safety and Health Administration and Massey Energy were the targets of a federal investigation regarding allegations of bribery of MSHA officials. Now that report is being refuted as R. Booth Goodwin II, the U.S. Attorney for Southern West Virginia, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in an email, "The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia knows of no evidence concerning bribery of MSHA inspectors in connection with the Upper Big Branch mine, nor are we conducting an investigation in that regard."

"Goodwin would not comment on any other aspects of the investigation, including whether he has empaneled any grand juries," Daniel Malloy and Dennis B. Roddy report. Goodwin's email was his first on-the-record comment since the beginning of the investigation. "MSHA, as of Oct. 27, had conducted 247 interviews in its investigation, but several top Massey officials have declined to be interviewed and are challenging the agency's subpoenas in court," Malloy and Roddy write. "By conducting the interviews behind closed doors, the company argues, the agency gave up its Congressionally authorized subpoena power." (Read more)