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DOJ Stops Senator's Coal Probe, Redirects Focus to Immigration

6/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Senior DOJ officials halted the criminal Clean Water Act probe of Senator Jim Justice’s Southern Coal in West Virginia.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche redirected attorneys to immigration enforcement and ordered a stand-down on diesel cheating cases.
Career prosecutors said they had a strong case and noted such early halts are rare.
Environmental groups and former compliance chief Robert Fowler allege repeated Clean Water Act permit violations and civil contempt orders.

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Story summary

Senior DOJ officials halted the criminal Clean Water Act probe of Senator Jim Justice’s Southern Coal in West Virginia.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche redirected attorneys to immigration enforcement and ordered a stand-down on diesel cheating cases.
Career prosecutors said they had a strong case and noted such early halts are rare.
Environmental groups and former compliance chief Robert Fowler allege repeated Clean Water Act permit violations and civil contempt orders.