A US Federal Judge in West Virginia sentenced former Massey Energy CEO Donald Blankenship to one year in prison for his role in safety violations that led to a coal mine explosion that killed 29 miners in 2010.  Prosecutors decried such a lenient sentence for what they called a "monstrous" wrongdoing. 

"Breaking mine safety laws kills people," said Federal Prosecutor Steve Ruby, who made it clear he believes that Blankenship deserved more prison time than that which is allowable by law.  "Breaking mine safety laws kills coal miners.  The defendant placed human lives in jeopardy," he added.  Blankenship will also spend a year on supervised released and will have to pay a paltry US$250,000 fine.  He sold his interest in Massey Energy shortly after the disaster for a cool US$12 Million.

The court convicted Blankenship in December of one of three counts against him for conspiring to "willfully violate mandatory mine health and safety standards" prior to the coal dust explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine that claimed the lives of 29 men - America's worst coal mining disaster in 40 years.  A federal investigation later revealed that no one would have died at the mine "if basic safety measures had been in place".

In court documents, prosecutors asked:  "Which is worse: a poor, uneducated young man who sells drugs because he sees no other opportunity, or a multimillionaire executive at the pinnacle of his power, who decides to subject his workers to a daily game of Russian roulette?  Which is worse: that young man carrying a gun during a single drug deal - a crime that will earn him a five-year mandatory minimum prison sentence,  or a CEO jeopardizing the lives of hundreds, day after day?"

The vile Blankenship was unrepentant:  "My main point is wanting to express sorrow to the families and everyone for what happened," he said before the judge passed sentenced.  "I am not guilty of a crime," he added.