While Blankenship could have been in jail for 30 years if he had been convicted of all charges, he now faces a one year prison term, after being acquitted of two counts of securities fraud.

Blankenship’s lawyer William Taylor has indicated that he intends to appeal.

“We’re disappointed but not as disappointed as we could have been,” Taylor said. “We’re pleased the jury found him not guilty on the felony charges.”

Blankenship was one of West Virginia’s most powerful businessmen and was ready to confront regulators and back politicians who supported coal.

At the height of his career in 2009, Blankenship made more than $18 million in salary and bonuses. In December 2010, he stepped down as Massey’s top executive with a $12 million retirement package, according to a report in Bloomberg.