Associated Press Published

Report: Ex-Coal Exec Blankenship Fails To File Disclosure in Senate Race

Former Massey CEO and West Virginia Republican Senatorial candidate, Don Blankenship, speaks during a town hall to kick off his campaign in Logan, W.Va., Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018.

A report says the former coal executive convicted of violating federal mine safety standards has failed to turn in a required financial disclosure for his U.S. Senate race.

The U.S. Senate Office of Public Records told The Charleston Gazette-Mail earlier this week there’s no indication Don Blankenship’s disclosure was received by Sunday’s deadline. Failure to file disclosures can carry fines up to $50,000 or criminal prosecution.

Blankenship’s spokesman didn’t respond to the newspaper’s requests for comment.

The ex-Massey Energy CEO is one of six Republicans in next month’s primary for the seat of incumbent Sen. Joe Manchin, who faces one opponent in the Democratic primary.

Blankenship served a one-year prison term on charges stemming from the 2010 explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine that killed 29 men in West Virginia.