CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – A federal appeals court rejected a bid Thursday by former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship to remain free while the court considers an appeal of his conviction related to the deadliest U.S. mine explosion in four decades.
A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals announced the ruling in a brief statement the same day Blankenship was scheduled to report to start serving his one-year sentence.
Blankenship’s attorneys filed an emergency motion with the appeals court Tuesday, noting that he’s was scheduled to head to an unspecified California prison.
A federal Bureau of Prisons website indicated Blankenship was not yet in the agency’s custody.
Federal prosecutors declined comment. An attorney for Blankenship did not immediately comment on the ruling.