JURY INDICTS 9 IN MINING DEALS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 13, 1993                   TAG: 9301130219
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY  
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ABINGDON                                LENGTH: Medium
JURY INDICTS 9 IN MINING DEALS
A federal grand jury has indicted a businessman on racketeering charges after his company was accused of billing coal-mining companies for equipment and labor they never received.
The indictments of Robert S. Painter and eight other people in U.S. District Court followed a two-year investigation.
Painter, 54, the owner of Abbs Valley Electric Co., was indicted on 38 counts, U.S. Attorney E. Montgomery Tucker said Monday. Painter's company provides electric motors and other equipment to mining companies.
The Bluefield businessman is accused of conspiring to illegally bill coal companies and of laundering the proceeds to evade taxes.
He also is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the federal government, mail fraud, interstate travel to commit prostitution, receiving stolen property, laundering, filing false tax returns, altering odometers on motor vehicles and illegally transporting and dumping hazardous wastes.
Painter could receive a maximum punishment of more than 220 years in prison and $6 million in fines, prosecutors said.
The indictment alleges that Painter and others schemed to defraud Peabody Coal Co., Eastern Associated Coal Co., Sea B Mining Co., Island Creek Coal Co., Consolidation Coal Co. and Canada Coal Co.
Painter's daughter and son-in-law, Sherri P. Bailey, 32, and David W. Bailey, 32, were indicted on a charge of conspiracy to defraud and on related charges.
Two of Painter's brothers-in-law, Albert Harless, 37, and Richard Weiner, 74, are charged with conspiracy to defraud and a related currency charge. All are from Bluefield.
Also named in the indictment was Gerald L. Tabor, 54, one of Painter's salesmen, charged with racketeering and conspiracy. Island Creek Coal Co. employee Howard Cook Jr., 44, was charged with conspiracy and related charges. Both men also are from Bluefield.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB