Coal Mine Owner Pleads Guilty to Falsifying Federal Safety Data

Coal mine operator Black Diamond LLC has agreed to plead guilty in federal court to falsifying coal dust records that the US Mine Safety and Health Administration requires companies to keep.

As part of the plea agreement submitted Monday, Black Diamond agreed to pay a $200,000 fine and spend two years on probation. The company had faced potential fines totaling $1 million, according to the plea agreement.

Also agreeing to a guilty plea was the worker assigned to collect dust samples and submit the data, Walter Perkins. His sentencing is still to be determined.

The Aug. 17 federal indictment from ...