Plea hearings set for 10 men in alleged kickback scheme at Arch Coal mine in West Virginia

A federal judge has set plea hearings for 10 men accused of participating in a kickback scheme at an Arch Coal mine in West Virginia.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Johnston in Charleston has ordered hearings this month and next, at which the men are expected to plead guilty to various charges.

Federal prosecutors say companies had to pay kickbacks to Arch employees to do business with Arch at its Mountain Laurel mining complex in Logan County. Prosecutors say Arch employees took nearly $2 million in kickbacks from 2007 to 2012.

The investigation links the scheme to former Mountain Laurel general manager David Runyon, who's charged with extortion. His hearing is Aug. 7.

Three other former Arch employees, along with contractors and vendors, face various charges.