4 ex-coal mine officials cleared in Kentucky fraud trial
ABC News
A federal jury has cleared four former coal company officials who were accused of skirting dust rules in two underground Kentucky mines
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A federal jury has cleared four former coal company officials who were accused of skirting dust rules in two underground Kentucky mines.
The jury in U.S. District Court in Louisville deliberated Wednesday for about two hours before returning not guilty verdicts. The trial was a rare attempt to prosecute coal company officials on criminal charges.
Federal prosecutors had alleged that the men ordered subordinates to tamper with dust collection equipment at two Armstrong Coal mines in order to stay in compliance with federal regulations.
But defense attorneys said prosecutors lacked evidence that the men had taken part in a conspiracy to cheat the rules.
