Judge ‘Outraged’ At Outcome Of Utah Mine Collapse
A judge reluctantly approved a criminal settlement against the operator of a Utah coal mine that collapsed in 2007, killing nine people.
Genwal Resources Inc., an affiliate of Ohio-based Murray Energy Corp., pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors and was fined $500,000.
U.S. District Judge David Sam in Salt Lake City said Wednesday he’s outraged federal law doesn’t provide any stiffer penalties for the loss of miners’ lives, but he approved the plea deal anyway.
Lawyers for Genwal pleaded guilty to willfully violating safety standards – in failing to report a cave-in months before the lethal collapse, and violating a roof control plan.
Six miners died at Crandall Canyon in central Utah in the August 2007 collapse. Another cave-in 10 days later killed two rescuers and a federal inspector.
