CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — The former Morgantown coal executive accused of conducting an illegal campaign finance scheme will see a second trial this spring.
James Laurita, Jr., the former president and CEO of Mepco, allegedly used employees of his company to make contributions to several federal campaigns between March 2010 to July 2013. Mepco, LLC is a coal mining and processing company located in Morgantown.
Earlier this month, Laurita’s first case ended with a mistrial, ruled by U.S. District Judge Irene Keeley on Feb. 2. A 12-member jury was deadlocked after deliberating for nearly 12 total hours over two days, ultimately reaching no unanimous verdict in Laurita’s case.
Keeley handed down an order Tuesday, scheduling the trial for April 13.