Coal company owned by the governor is found in contempt of court

A coal company owned by Gov. Jim Justice has been found in contempt by a federal judge for not following an order to pay an insurance company to maintain collateral for financial obligations. U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Dillon found Southern Coal Corp. in civil contempt and granted the insurance company’s request to fine it $2,500 per day until it complies with the order, the Charleston Gazette-Mail reported. The ruling dismissed Southern Coal’s argument that it was unable to comply with the order for payment, issued five months ago, because it isn’t actively mining coal and has no income. Southern Coal has seven days to comply before the daily fine begins, according to the order.