4 sentenced in Va. for roles in coal check scheme

ABINGDON, Va. (AP) — Four men were sentenced Thursday for their roles in a two-state, $10 million coal industry check-cashing scheme that involved kickbacks and illegal currency transactions to evade taxes.

The four are among 23 coal operators and employees in West Virginia and Virginia who have pleaded guilty to felony charges in a complex conspiracy from 2007 through February 2011. Two others were convicted after a two-week jury trial and await sentencing. The offenders have forfeited more than $3 million.