The man who ran the West Virginia mine that exploded in 2010 , in what was one of the worst U.S. mine disasters in decades , was indicted Thursday on federal charges . Don Blankenship , the former CEO of Massey Energy , faces four charges : conspiracy to violate mandatory federal mine safety and health standards , conspiracy to impede federal mine safety officials , making false statements to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission , and securities fraud . The counts carry a maximum combined penalty of 31 years in prison , according to the Justice Department . `` The indictment alleges that from about January 1 , 2008 , through about April 9 , 2010 , Blankenship conspired to commit and cause routine , willful violations of mandatory federal mine safety and health standards at Massey Energy 's Upper Big Branch mine , located in Raleigh County , West Virginia , the department said in a statement . Massey was the fourth-largest coal producer in the United States and the largest mine operator in Appalachia at the time of the Upper Big Branch explosion , which killed 29 workers . But it had racked up an extensive list of violations before the disaster , and a 2011 report by the U.S . Mine Safety and Health Administration found that Massey had a history of `` systematic , intentional , and aggressive efforts '' to evade safety regulations . The company kept two sets of books to mislead miners and inspectors , tipped off crews before surprise inspections and intimidated workers to prevent them from reporting violations , the report found . Blankenship 's attorney , William W. Taylor , III , said Thursday that his client is innocent of the charges , and will fight them and be acquitted . `` Don Blankenship has been a tireless advocate for mine safety . His outspoken criticism of powerful bureaucrats has earned this indictment . He will not yield to their effort to silence him . He will not be intimidated , '' the lawyer said . Massey was bought by another company , Alpha Natural Resources , after the disaster . In December 2011 , it settled with the Justice Department for a record $ 209 million in fines , penalties and compensation for families of the men killed at Upper Big Branch .
Don Blankenship faces four federal charges , including conspiracy and making false statements . He oversaw the West Virginia mine that exploded in 2010 , killing 29 workers . Score: 7 The Upper Big Branch explosion was one of the worst U.S. mine disasters in decades .