FBI tells families of miners killed that blast may be federal crime

[RamboLiberal]

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The FBI recently sent letters to family members of miners who died in an explosion last year at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia informing them that they may be "victim of a federal crime."

The letters, dated March 28, were sent from the bureau's Charleston, W.Va., office and signed by supervisory special agent Joseph I. Ciccarelli.

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In the FBI letter, families were notified the bureau has launched an investigation into "various activities" at the Upper Big Branch mine to determine if any federal crimes occurred.

"In connection therewith, you may be a victim of a federal crime," the letter said




Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11115/1141722-455.stm

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Go get 'em Feds!

[freshwest]

1. It's about time someone called what they did a crime! Good work.

[burning rain]

2. I'd hate to be a worker or low-level manager from that mine.

Because they're the ones likely to be scapegoated and charged. Don Blankenship in particular can rest easy. As a CEO, he's part of the ruling class whether the president has an R or a D after his name.

[Scuba]

3. Your post sound suspiciously as if you are advising AGAINST ....

...prosecuting the mine owners, as it would result in punishment/scapegoating of people further down the ladder.


If that's the case, I disagree.

[cui bono]

5. Thom Hartmann has made the same point iirc. Because Blankenship is a CEO

he's untouchable. Unfortunately it is the people who administered the "orders" etc. that will be held accountable. Hopefully there's a way to get past them to the top. If not, there should be laws put in place to hold CEOs accountable.

[Canuckistanian]

7. Also, he recently retired

I think he KNEW this shitstorm was coming.

[burning rain]

8. The mine owners won't be prosecuted.

At most some mid-level manager. That's my bet.

[MountainLaurel]

4. Very interesting

I'm trying to run down a list of federal crimes to figure out which might be involved. Bribery?

[Kingofalldems]

6. Elections mean things--this letter would not have been sent

in 2006. Remember the Sec. of Labor back then? The trapped miners would have been faulted.