Prosecutor: No more charges expected in coal ash case

By MICHAEL BIESECKER
Associated Press

RALEIGH, NC (AP) – One of the federal prosecutors who supervised the criminal case over Duke Energy’s coal ash pollution says he doesn’t expect to file any additional charges in the case.

United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker of the Eastern District of North Carolina said Friday his office has completed a thorough investigation of the available evidence. In the wake of last year’s massive Dan River coal ash spill, Walker’s office issued more than two dozen subpoenas to Duke, as well as state environmental and utilities regulators.

The nation’s largest electricity company pleaded guilty Thursday to nine criminal violations of the federal Clean Water Act, agreeing to pay $102 million in fines and restitution.

A top official at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the government may still pursue civil lawsuits against Duke.

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