Official convicted of lying about W.Va. mine disaster

Associated Press

BECKLEY, W.Va.

The only person prosecuted so far in the worst U.S. coal-mining disaster in decades was convicted Wednesday of lying to investigators probing the 2010 explosion that killed 29 men at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia.

It took jurors about six hours to find 60-year-old Hughie Elbert Stover guilty on the lying charge and a second count of disposing of thousands of security- related documents after the explosion. The jury had begun deliberating Wednesday morning after hearing two days of testimony in which prosecutors painted Stover as an obstructionist and defense attorneys claimed he was a scapegoat. Stover was the head of security at the mine.

He remains free pending a Feb. 29 sentencing hearing.

No one else has been charged in the mine disaster, but investigations continue. U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said no potential criminal charges for others are off the table.

Stover’s attorney, William Wilmoth, said it was too early to discuss any future motions or appeals. “While we’re disappointed at this result, we’re very appreciative of their services,” he said of the eight men and four women on the jury.