Audio Transcript

Mollie Halpern: The former superintendent of a West Virginia mine which was the site of the worst U.S. coal mining disaster in four decades is sentenced to 21 months in prison.

Gary May was superintendent at the former Massey Energy Company’s Upper Big Branch Mine when an explosion killed 29 miners in 2010.

I’m Mollie Halpern, and this is Gotcha, the FBI’s closed case of the week. May admitted that he conspired to impede the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s efforts to inspect and enforce safety and health laws. Case Agent James Lafferty of the Pittsburgh FBI…

James Lafferty: We found many instances when Mr. May put the production of coal over the safety of coal miners.

Halpern: Investigators combed through hundreds of thousands of documents, conducted multiple search warrants, and interviewed hundreds of mine employees.

Lafferty: When you’re given the responsibility of conducting an investigation as serious as this, you want to do the best you can.

Halpern: The investigation, now entering its third year, is a team effort.

Lafferty: We worked along with other federal agencies in order to reach the conclusion we’ve reached in this case.

Halpern: For more information, visit www.fbi.gov.