Gay Miner Suing Massey West Virgina Unit Charges Harassment

A gay coal miner is suing a Massey Energy Co. subsidiary, charging that management didn’t protect him from abusive co-workers.

The lawsuit names Massey’s Spartan Mining Co. and a foreman at a Kanawha County mine as defendants.

Miner Sam Hall claims in the lawsuit filed in Kanawha County Circuit Court that that he was subjected to verbal abuse and lewd gestures, and his car was vandalized at several Massey mines between 2005 and 2010.

Massey general counsel Shane Harvey told The Charleston Gazette the charges are “despicable” and if true the company will take action.

The lawsuit is the latest trouble for Richmond, Va.-based Massey. The company faces ongoing investigations of an explosion that killed 29 miners in April.