Two Sentenced in W.Va. Mine Billing Scheme

Two men will each spend 18 months in prison for their roles in a billing scheme involving Alpha Natural Resources and a major supplier.

James Rodger Long II of Beckley and Ricky R. Smith of Daniels are among five people charged. All five defendants formerly worked as sourcing agents for Massey Energy, which Alpha bought in 2011.

Sourcing agents are responsible for ordering supplies.

Prosecutors say the defendants obtained goods for their personal use and created false invoices to cover their tracks.

According to reports, Long and Smith were sentenced on wire fraud charges Monday in U.S. District Court in Charleston.

The other defendants are awaiting sentencing.