NPR reports that the FBI is now investigating Massey Energy and MSHA regarding the possible bribery of Federal officials. Current or former employees are likely talking to authorities. Authorities are also looking into possible criminal negligence in connection with the recent deaths of 29 miners. I guess this is more of the same free market capitalism that I wrote about before, where corporations put profits over lives and are willing to do anything for the bottom line. The name of the game seems to be to get over any way they can.... by any means.
The bribery allegations, if true, would explain why there were so many violations with no credible threat of concrete action. It appears to me that MSHA was seen by Massey as more of a nuisance than a serious regulator.
