Senator “Big Jim” Justice—the Republican, U.S. Senator from West Virginia—just settled a suit saying he owed almost $5.2 million in past-due taxes. This decision follows the federal government’s successful lawsuit to have him removed from office. This lawsuit stems from unpaid personal income tax payments owed by Justice and his wife, Cathy Justice. They brought the case to federal court in West Virginia.
Justice was the eight-termer West Virginia’s governor, first elected in a special election in 2017. That resulted in him winning his subsequent election to the U.S. Senate. He replaced the seat once held by the now Chief Negotiator Manchin himself. Justice is the Bill Gates of West Virginia. He is perhaps best known for his long political career, but as a coal mining heir, he was one of the state’s wealthiest residents.
Even for the deep-pocketed Justice, his fiscal fortunes have turned sharply against him. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has placed more than $8 million in liens on him and his wife. picjourney/Shutterstock This action is a result of their unpaid personal taxes. Yet West Virginia state tax collectors have already tackled a lien of $1.4 million on the Greenbrier luxury hotel complex. They are co-owners and co-operators of this highly-desired destination.
Jim Justice’s debt goes back to 2009. No wonder that year the U.S. Treasury Department came calling him for the money he didn’t pay. Justice’s net worth has since plummeted to “less than zero.” Tucked underneath all of this is his backbreaking load of debts that total more than $1 billion.
The U.S. Justice Department did just that in its recent settlement with the Justices. They authorized the payment of such tax obligations, including statutory interest and any future accrued taxes that might be incurred.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has previously floated the possibility that the government’s collection attempts are politically motivated.
“At the end of the day, I’d say just let it be and see how it plays out” – Jim Justice
Cathy Justice plays a significant role in the community as a member of West Virginia’s state board of education. The couple’s hard times have garnered national attention considering the couple was once highly influential players in the state.