LOGAN COUNTY, W.Va. — A second employee at Arch Coal’s Mountain Laurel Complex in Logan County has been fired in connection with a federal investigation focused on a possible kickback and billing scheme, according to WVOW Radio — a MetroNews affiliate.
Jay Nunley, news director for WVOW Radio in Logan, said the investigation appears to include activities at “The White House,” one of several houses Arch Coal owns near the Sharples facility.
“‘The White House’ was the scene of a lot of socializing, in varying levels, between males and females and so forth and also what they’re calling ‘debauchery,'” said Nunley.
He did not elaborate on that so-called “debauchery,” but said mine employees, vendors and their guests would stay at “The White House.”
The firing of another Arch Coal employee was confirmed last week.
Also last week, a company spokesperson confirmed Arch Coal was cooperating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charleston on the investigation into potential misconduct involving vendors and mine personnel in Sharples.
“Arch is deeply committed to maintaining the very highest ethical standards in everything we do,” said Kim Link, Arch Coal spokesperson, at that time.
Federal investigators do not typically comment on ongoing investigations.
According to information WVOW Radio has obtained, at least five vendors have received target letters from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, indicating those vendors are under investigation.
Nunley was a guest on Tuesday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”