Mine report pulls no punches
Criminal probe of MSHA, Murray Energy urged
For the families of those lost in the accident, the report confirms a lot of what they already knew or suspected, according to their attorney.
But Murray Energy and others, including Utah's senators, were quick to point out it is not the final word on the accident.
"This is a comprehensive and very strongly worded report," said Edward Havas, an attorney with the Salt Lake law firm Dewsnup, King & Olsen that represents most of the families of those killed or injured in the accident. "It doesn't pull any punches. It should be a wake-up call for others in the industry that dangerous practices are still going on and should not be tolerated."
The report, issued by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, known as HELP, is the first report from Congress with at least one other in the works and the MSHA official investigation still under way.
Shortly after the accident, Kennedy requested e-mails, any documents on mine plan changes and MSHA consideration of them, inspection reports, meeting minutes, e-mails, handwritten notes and other communication between the mine owners and MSHA officials, and a variety of others from the Labor Department many of which are quoted in the report released Thursday.
Havas said the report serves as a "good road map" as the firm prepares the families' litigation on the accident.
The HELP committee had a hearing in October and families of the miners and rescuers, along with Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr., testified before the House Education and Labor Committee a day later.
House and Senate committees have subpoenaed Murray Energy CEO Bob Murray, but it is not clear when he will come to Washington to talk about the accident. The House Education and Labor Committee is still working on its investigation.
Kennedy said the 75-page report's finding warrants a criminal investigation by the Justice Department.
"The committee's investigation has revealed that the owner of Crandall Canyon Mine, Murray Energy, disregarded dangerous conditions at the mine, failed to tell federal regulators about these dangers, conducted unauthorized mining and as a result exposed its miners to serious risks," Kennedy said.
"MSHA also unconscionably failed to protect miners by hastily rubber-stamping the plan. This is a clear case of callous disregard for the law and for safety standards, and hard-working miners lost their lives."
Despite rescue efforts, the bodies of six miners remain entombed in the mine since an August 2007 collapse in Emery County. Days after the accident, three rescuers died while trying to dig out the men.
Recent comments
As in 1854 at the Eureka Stokade - you just can't trust a boss and...
Goran | March 16, 2008 at 11:13 p.m.
Man all you people are something. Every one of you seem to think...
DLM | March 7, 2008 at 4:45 p.m.
Tedd Kennedy says, "This warrants a criminal investigation", because...
Chappaquiddick | March 7, 2008 at 4:37 p.m.
- Obama artist makes plea deal 11:33 a.m.
- Cuba acknowledges desertion 11:30 a.m.
- Goosen shoots 63 to lead Scottish 11:29 a.m.
- Boston man begs to repay Brady 11:28 a.m.
- Movsisyan to remain through season 11:22 a.m.
- Teacher faces new sex charges 11:19 a.m.
- Lawmaker: CIA dir. ended program 11:09 a.m.
- Ships ending search for black boxes 11:07 a.m.
- Charger RB wounded in shooting 11:06 a.m.
- Paris Hilton set to take stand 10:52 a.m.
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Okur signs two-year extension
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Mall owner seeks to retain zoning
- Jazz rally for OT win at Orlando
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
140 - Letters: Palin mistreated
137 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
135 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
117 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
79 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
73 - Letters: Single-payer system best
70 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
A mens downhill program with very few examples of "excellence" gets a "center...
You must see this temple for yourself. It is amazing.
The myth that I wish would stop going around in our Church is that there is...
My spokesman say's he doubts Mr Paiva's truthfulness
Wonder where those people at the American Meteorological Society will get a...
"Theater not Patriotism" offered us the most important message of all: we...
Another proud accomplishment of the Bush Reich
Sounds like the con man is still on his game.
How is this attempted murder of a police officer? While i'm glad they got...
Apollo sun: Who are these decent PF's you speak of? Under scenario we get...


