Here is a look at the charges and potential penalties, if convicted, in an alleged kickback scheme at Arch Coal’s Mountain Laurel mine in West Virginia.
David E. Runyon, 45, of Delbarton
Allegations: Worked with other Arch Coal employees to receive almost $2 million in kickbacks over five years from vendors.
Charges/penalties if convicted: Extortion by wrongful use of fear of economic loss; tax evasion; up to 25 years and $500,000.
Gary K. Griffith, 62, of Oceana.
Allegations: As Mountain Laurel maintenance manager, received at least $250,000 in kickbacks along with Runyon from a vendor; denied it to law enforcement
Charges/penalties if convicted: lying to federal and state law enforcement; up to five years and $250,000.
Stephen B. Herndon, 37, of Holden
Allegations: At company with Ellis, paid nearly $425,000 in kickbacks over five years for contracts.
Charges/penalties if convicted: Structuring cash withdrawal from a local bank; up to five years and $250,000.
Scott E. Ellis, 44, of Holden
Allegations: At company with Stephen B. Herndon, paid nearly $425,000 in kickbacks over five years for contracts.
Charges/penalties if convicted: Structuring cash withdrawal from a local bank; up to five years and $250,000.
Alvis R. Porter, 61, of Holden
Allegations: Paid $400,000 in kickbacks directly to Runyon for construction contract.
Charges/penalties if convicted: failing to collect, account for and pay over trust fund taxes for an employee; up to five years and $250,000.
David N. Herndon, 63 of Chauncey
Allegations: Paid $340,000 for more than three years for his company’s mine labor contract.
Charges/penalties if convicted: Unlawful money transaction of criminally derived property worth more than $10,000; up to 10 years and $250,000.
Ronald Barnette, 53, of Holden
Allegations: Made $300,000 in kickbacks to Runyon for company contract in rebuild miners and bolters.
Charges/penalties if convicted: lying to federal and state law enforcement; up to five years and $250,000.
Gary L. Roeher, 52, of Holden
Allegations: Expensed $43,000 to his company to install an in-ground swimming pool at his house.
Charges/penalties if convicted: Filing false tax return; up to five years and $250,000.
Chadwick J. Lusk, 32, of Davin
Allegations: While purchasing agent at Mountain Laurel, received illegal cash kickbacks, some paid by Roeher’s company.
Charges/penalties if convicted: Honest services mail fraud; up to 20 years and $250,000.
James H. Evans II, 39, of Verdunville
Allegations: While his company recycled scrap cable at Mountain Laurel, paid Arch Coal’s $30,000 commission to Runyon.
Charges/penalties if convicted: Conspiracy to commit honest services fraud; up to five years and $250,000.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.