CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship, who will be sentenced in March for his misdemeanor conviction, is seeking loosened bond restrictions and permission to travel home for the holidays.
Currently, Blankenship’s bond conditions remain the same as before his trial began — a $5 million cash bond, restricted residency in the Southern District, restricted travel to southern West Virginia, Pike County, Ky. and Washington, D.C. to meet with counsel, and prohibition of direct or indirect contact with former Massey employees or anyone who participated in the investigation.
They argue the conditions are too restrictive in light of Blankenship’s acquittal on all felony counts and his full compliance for over a year with all of the terms and conditions of his release.
“Furthermore, by his own conduct throughout these proceedings — when he was facing the prospect of decades in prison — Mr. Blankenship has proven that he is not a flight risk.”
In another motion, also filed Tuesday, Blankenship is asking the court to be allowed to travel home to Nevada from Dec. 19 to Jan. 5. “to spend the Christmas and New Year’s holidays with his fiancée and members of their families…
