BECKLEY, W.Va. -- Sentencing is being delayed for a former Massey Energy mine president who pleaded guilty to charges resulting from an investigation into the 2010 explosion at another Massey operation that killed 29 men.
The Associated Press reports that a federal judge has agreed to postpone David Hughart's scheduled June 25 sentencing until Aug. 1 at the request of his attorney.
Hughart pleaded guilty to two federal conspiracy charges for working with others to ensure miners at Massey operations got advance warning about surprise federal inspections between 2000 and March 2010.
He is cooperating with federal investigators and has implicated former chief executive Don Blankenship in safety violations at the company. Blankenship has denied wrongdoing.
Hughart faces up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $350,000.
