The following is a statement from House Minority Whip Mike Caputo, who is United Mine Workers of America District 31 international vice president, about former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship reporting to prison today:
After a long trial, a group of thoughtful jurors concluded that Don Blankenship spent more than two years conspiring to violate federal safety standards at a mine where 29 men perished. Judge Berger rightfully issued the maximum possible sentence. While it is nowhere near sufficient for conduct I believe warrants a murder charge, it is gratifying to know that, despite his attempts to delay his punishment, Don Blankenship will now spend the next year in prison contemplating the consequences of his actions.