Murray Energy’s Alleged Pro-Romney Coercion Should Be Investigated: Ohio Democratic Party

The Huffington Post |  By Bonnie Kavoussi

Posted: 10/09/2012 9:48 am EDT Updated: 10/09/2012 9:48 am EDT

The Ohio Democratic Party has requested a criminal investigation of the Ohio-based Murray Energy, after the coal company allegedly told employees to donate to Republican politicians including Mitt Romney.

The alleged coercion of political donations from employees may have "involved extortion, money laundering, racketeering, and other violations of Title 18 of the US criminal code," Ohio Democratic Party chairman Chris Redfern wrote in a letter to U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach on Monday.

Last Thursday, The New Republic's Alec MacGillis reported that Murray Energy CEO Bob Murray pressured his employees to donate to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, among others, as well as to Murray Energy's pro-Republican political action committee. Some of the firm's 3,000 employees reportedly feared they might lose their jobs if they did not make these political donations.

Original source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/09/murray-energy-romney_n_1950724.html?utm_hp_ref=green&ir=Green