Republican Jim Justice to pay more than $5m in back taxes following lawsuit | US Senate
Republican U.S. senator Jim Justice and his wife agreed to pay more than $5 million the couple owed in back taxes shortly after being sued by the federal government over a 16-year debt.
The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in their home state of West Virginia, alleges that the Judges have received notices from the U.S. Treasury Department since 2009 about funds owed, but “neglected or refused to pay these assessments.”
The lawsuit demanded that West Virginia state board of education members Jim and Cathy Justice repay the balance of approximately $5.2 million, along with other damages that the court deemed “just and appropriate.”
A separate filing filed later Monday said the U.S. justice department had reached a settlement with the political couple, agreeing to cover “plus statutory interest and other additions to the tax accrued thereafter.” The agreement was awaiting the judge’s approval.
The justice’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Tuesday. He had previously attempted to be removed from office due to political attacks aimed at collecting financial debts for which he was on the hook.
Monday’s lawsuit against coal mining heir Justice and his wife comes after the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) filed a lien against Judges in October for more than $8 million in unpaid personal taxes.
Moreover, West Virginia tax collectors placed a $1.4 million lien on the luxury Greenbrier hotel resort their family owns and operates in White Sulfur Springs, a community in the Alleghany Mountains.
The Justices narrowly avoided foreclosure on the Greenbrier by reaching a settlement with a credit collection company in August 2024. They purchased the 246-year-old property; Among his guests were US presidents. Martin van Buren To Donald Trump – He went bankrupt in 2009 for $20.1 million.
Jim Justice, who also owned several businesses, was once considered West Virginia’s wealthiest resident. But his collective debt of more than $1 billion left his estimated net worth at “less than zero.” a Forbes report Starting from January.
Despite his financial troubles, Jim Justice served as governor of West Virginia for eight years, starting in 2017. He later won election to the U.S. Senate, taking over the seat vacated by the retirement of fellow West Virginia coal tycoon Democrat Joe Manchin.
The Associated Press said Justice, speaking to local media in October, claimed political motivations were behind roundup efforts against him. reported. He argued at the time that his businesses were “complex and complex” and that his children were “doing a magnificent job” running them.
“At the end of the day, I would say just go with the flow and see how it turns out,” Justice said, according to the AP.
