In the wake of an explosion that killed 29 miners, the FBI is investigating Massey Energy Co. for possible bribery of state and federal inspectors, Bloomberg reported on Sunday.
NPR first reported the federal probe on Friday.
The April 5 explosion at the Richmond, Virginia-based company’s Upper Big Branch Mine sparked the investigation by the bureau. Bloomberg reported that the FBI had interviewed at least two dozen Massey employees, federal and state officials and mine union members in connection with the probe.
The mine and its operators could be held criminally liable for the explosion if the FBI probe turns up evidence of falsification of inspection documents or tampering with monitors, or other overt acts. The matter would be referred to the U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of West Virginia.
