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

DATE: TUESDAY, May 10, 1994                   TAG: 9405100146
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PIKEVILLE, KY.                                LENGTH: Short

FEDERAL MINING INSPECTORS INDICTED IN EXTORTION OF KY. COAL FIRMS

Four mining inspectors have been indicted on federal charges of extorting more than $4,500 from coal companies to overlook violations.

The indictments, which stem from a yearlong investigation, were returned Thursday in Lexington but were not released until Monday in U.S. District Court at Pikeville. The charges all involve Pike County mines.

J. Davitt McAteer, the new head of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, said it is important to make an example out of such people.

``We are concerned about any conduct that raises questions about the integrity of our agency,''said McAteer, a former mine safety attorney.

Three MSHA inspectors were arrested Monday: Edward Kendrick, 56, of Melvin; John Banks, 44, of Myra; and Clifford Crum, 58, of Allen.

by CNB