ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio, May 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Murray Energy Corporation, and its five West Virginia subsidiaries, filed a lawsuit today in that state seeking to hold The New York Times Company accountable for the false and defamatory statements that newspaper made in an article it published on April 24 and 25, 2017. In the lawsuit, Murray Energy is seeking to recover damages for the harm caused by The New York Times' false statements, and is also pursuing the imposition of punitive damages.
In its article, "Money Talked Loudest at Trump's Inaugural," The New York Times falsely accuses Robert E. Murray of lying about the cause of a 2007 mine collapse that tragically killed nine people. In addition, it also falsely implies that the Murray Energy organization was found guilty of a significant number of violations outside the norms of industry regulatory compliance. Murray Energy Corporation, and its five West Virginia subsidiaries, filed suit in that state to defend itself against these false accusations.
Data shows that the triggering event for the 2007 mine collapse was what is commonly understood as an earthquake, consistent with Mr. Murray's understanding. Moreover, even the U.S. Attorney for Utah admitted that "they were unable to demonstrate, given the evidence, a direct connection between the violation and the fatal mine collapse." And The New York Times also made no attempt to provide a full portrayal of Murray Energy's true safety record. Nor did The New York Times make any mention of Murray Energy's efforts toward ensuring mine safety. Indeed, The New York Times did not even call Mr. Murray or anyone at the Murray Energy organization to fact check any of its false statements.
While The New York Times' false statements impact all of the entities in the Murray Energy organization, Murray Energy is the largest coal mining employer in the State of West Virginia, and coal mining is one of the primary foundations of that state's economy. In fact, according to recent, expert studies by a major accounting firm, every coal mining job in West Virginia is responsible for $1.2 million in economic output and $6.3 million in annual economic activity.
The New York Times, of course, supported Hillary Clinton, who famously declared her agenda to "put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business." Murray Energy instituted this suit, in part, in attempt to ensure that such an agenda is not furthered by The New York Times' false and defamatory statements.
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SOURCE Murray Energy Corporation
