W.Va. Dems Dodge Lawsuit

Massey Energy Co. chief Don Blankenship is withdrawing his defamation lawsuit against the state Democratic Party and its chairman, Nick Casey, The Associated Press reports.

Blankenship sued Aug. 10 over a 2006 election season TV ad, alleging it maliciously misrepresented his comment about the fatal Sago and Aracoma mine accidents.

Though his case "sought unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, and a public apology from the defendants," he decided to drop it believing he's made his point about the ad, this lawyer told AP.

Blankenship has been a vocal critic of West Virginia's civil justice system, alleging it is plagued by frivilous lawsuits. A board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, his political spending has included backing candidates and groups that echo his views on "tort reform."

Blankenship and/or Massey still have lawsuits pending against Gov. Joe Manchin, the state Supreme Court, and two law firms that defended Massey in contract disputes.

Their defamation lawsuit against The Charleston Gazette and the United Mine Worker Union was dismissed in Virginia, and their appeal refused by that state's Supreme Court. One defendant in that lawsuit, the defunct West Virginia Consumers for Justice, settled out of the case and issued a publicized apology.