BILLINGS, Montana – A shocking case of corruption in the coal mining industry has come to light with the sentencing of Curtis Floyd, the former safety manager at the Signal Peak Energy LLC underground coal mine near Roundup, Montana.
Floyd, 47, of Billings, was sentenced to two years of probation and fined $2,000 for conspiring to make false reports about a mine accident in which a miner had his fingers crushed, resulting in partial amputation.
The crime occurred in 2018, and Floyd was responsible for overseeing safety-related accidents and injuries, ensuring that all such incidents were properly reported as required by federal law. Instead, Floyd went along when management needed an accident covered up.
According to court documents, in early 2018, a miner had his fingers crushed while loading mining materials, and the injury eventually required partial amputation. As Floyd was taking the miner to the hospital, Dale Musgrave, the former vice president of underground operations, called the injured miner and directed him to falsely claim that the injury was unrelated to his work.
Floyd and Musgrave were required to complete a U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration Mine Accident, Injury and Illness report, but they never completed or submitted a report for this incident. They also failed to report the miner’s injury on another MSHA quarterly report.
U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said, ‘As Signal Peak Energy’s safety manager, Floyd had a duty to make sure miners were safe and protected and to document and report accidents. Floyd not only failed the miners, but he also flaunted mandatory mine health and safety reporting regulations.’
Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson added, ‘The Mine Safety and Health Administration relies on accurate and timely reporting data to inform our investigations and address safety and health hazards. These reports also help mine operators uphold their legal obligation to keep miners safe and healthy.’
Curtis Floyd, 47, of Billings, was sentenced to two years of probation and fined $2,000 for conspiring to make false reports about a mine accident.
Defendant: Curtis Floyd
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to submit false statements in mine records
City and State: Billings, Montana
Exact Date: Not specified
Sentence or Outcome: Two years of probation and $2,000 fine
Dollar Amounts: $2,000 fine
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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