Prosecutors Object to Blankenship Travel Plans

The government wants a judge to reject a former coal executive from traveling to North Carolina ahead of his trial on criminal charges stemming from the deadly Upper Big Branch Mine disaster.

Prosecutors filed their terse objection Friday to Don Blankenship’s planned business trip. They declined to elaborate on their objection, according the Charleston Gazette-Mail.

Blankenship’s travel is restricted while he is free on $5 million bond pending trial, now scheduled for Oct. 1.

The former CEO of Massey Energy will be tried on mine safety and securities charges related to the April 2010 explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine. Twenty-nine miners were killed.

Blankenship is seeking the court’s approval for a three-day trip. The court filing provided no details about the purpose of the trip.