A former Massey Energy Company executive will appear in court Thursday for his plea hearing on federal charges stemming from safety violations at mines he operated.
David C. Hughart, 53, of Crab Orchard, is expected to plead guilty to a felony count of conspiracy to defraud the United States
Hughart, the former President of Massey’s Green Valley Resource Group, operated Massey Energy subsidiary mines in Nicholas County
Hughart was also responsible for giving advanced warnings at his mines and having workers cover up possible violations before federal Mine Safety and Health Administration inspectors arrived.
The charges against Hughart stem from the ongoing investigation into the 2010 explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine that killed 29 miners.
Hughart is the third person, and the highest ranking Massey official so far, to be charged in connection with the UBB investigation.
He faces up to six years in prison.
The plea hearing will take place in front of the Honorable Irene C. Berger at the United States Courthouse and IRS Complex in Beckley
