A former top executive of a Western Pennsylvania coal company was arrested today as part of an FBI bribery investigation involving millions in bribes paid to Egyptian government officials to secure and maintain $143 million in coal shipment contracts. The investigation had previously yielded a guilty plea from another coal company executive who is awaiting sentencing in Pittsburgh.

Charles Hunter Hobson, 46, former vice president of Washington County-based Corsa Coal Corp., was charged in Pittsburgh with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, laundering money and receiving kickbacks following an investigation by the FBI in Washington, D.C.

Prosecutors said Mr. Hobson, who lives in Knoxville, Tenn., received kickbacks as part of a scheme to bribe Egyptian officials in connection with contracts with an Egyptian state-owned company, Al Nasr Company for Coke and Chemicals.

A grand jury in Pittsburgh indicted Mr. Hobson under seal on Tuesday. The case was unsealed today after his arrest. He was due to make an initial appearance in the Eastern District of Tennessee.