Associated Press Published

Man Pleads Guilty in Kickback Scheme at W.Va. Mine

Arch Coal

A Verdunville man has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a kickback scheme at an Arch Coal mine.

Thirty-nine-old James Evans III’s company recycled scrap cable at Arch’s Mountain Laurel mining complex in Logan County. He was accused of paying Arch’s $30,000 commission from selling the scrap to the mine’s general manager, David Runyon of Delbarton, so that his company would remain as its scrap metal vendor.

Online court records show that Evans pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. Sentencing is set for Nov. 17 in U.S. District Court in Charleston.

Evans and Runyon are among 10 men accused of participating in the kickback scheme.

A plea hearing for Runyon is set for Thursday. He’s charged with extortion.