Associated Press Published

Prosecuters Say Ex-Freedom Industries President A Flight Risk

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Federal prosecutors want a former executive charged in a January chemical spill on home confinement with electronic monitoring.

In federal court Thursday, prosecutors requested tougher release conditions for ex-Freedom Industries President Gary Southern.

The motion lists motives to flee. Southern claimed a $16 million net worth in January, then just over $9 million in August.

It says he’s a citizen of the United Kingdomand has minimal West Virginia ties aside from his criminal case.

It says Southern can leave the country on a private plane with his private pilot’s license.

Prosecutors want a daily home call from Southern, no private plane travel and a secured bond.

Southern, Freedom and five other ex-Freedom officials and employees face charges for the spill that tainted 300,000 people’s water for days.