Don Blankenship: From Coal CEO To Senate Run...Again?!

Is justice truly blind, or does it sometimes peek behind the blindfold? The legal saga of Don Blankenship, former CEO of Massey Energy, continues to unfold, raising questions about accountability, justice, and the long shadow of a tragic mine disaster.The narrative surrounding Donald Leon Blankenship (born March 14, 1950), an American businessman and former coal executive from West Virginia, is anything but simple. It's a complex tapestry woven with threads of ambition, tragedy, legal battles, and political aspirations. His name became synonymous with the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster of 2010, an event that claimed the lives of 29 miners and cast a pall of grief over the state and the nation. Attorney Carol Casto announced that Blankenship was initially sentenced to a year in federal prison and ordered to pay a $250,000 fine after a jury found him guilty of conspiracy to willfully violate mine health and safety standards. The reverberations of that verdict continue to be felt today.
Don Blankenship: Biographical and Professional Overview
Personal Information
  • Full Name: Donald Leon Blankenship
  • Date of Birth: March 14, 1950
  • Place of Birth: Stopover, Kentucky, United States
  • Occupation: Businessman (Former Coal Executive)
Career Highlights
  • Former CEO of Massey Energy: Led the company until shortly after the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster.
  • Controversial Figure: Known for his outspoken views and clashes with regulators.
  • Political Aspirations: Ran for U.S. Senate in West Virginia in 2018 as a Republican and again in 2024 as a Democrat.
Legal Battles & Controversies
  • Conviction: Found guilty of conspiracy to willfully violate mine health and safety standards.
  • Sentencing: Served a year in federal prison and paid a $250,000 fine.
  • Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster: The 2010 explosion that killed 29 miners is central to his legacy.
  • Defamation Lawsuit: Sued news outlets for calling him a "felon," but the lawsuit was ultimately unsuccessful.
Political Career
  • 2018 U.S. Senate Run: Finished third in the Republican primary for Joe Manchin's Senate seat.
  • 2024 U.S. Senate Run: Filed paperwork to run for the seat being vacated by Joe Manchin, this time as a Democrat.
Additional Information
  • Don Blankenship Wikipedia Page
King of Coal CBS News

King of Coal CBS News

Don Blankenship trial Massey Energy CEO convicted over West Virginia

Don Blankenship trial Massey Energy CEO convicted over West Virginia

Don Blankenship Concedes Defeat in West Virginia GOP Senate Primary

Don Blankenship Concedes Defeat in West Virginia GOP Senate Primary

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