The former coal executive charged in a 2010 mine explosion that
killed 29 men is alleging Alpha Natural Resources has reneged on an agreement
requiring the company to pay his mounting legal costs.
Ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship filed a lawsuit against the
Bristol, Virginia-based company this week.
He alleges that Alpha recently told him it wouldn't cover the
costs to defend charges that he conspired to violate safety standards at West Virginia
According to media reports, Alpha confirmed in a statement
Friday that it doesn't intend to pay Blankenship's legal fees going forward.
The legal filing says Alpha's lawyers said the company
determined Blankenship had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful.
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