Republican senator and former West Virginia governor Jim Justice is in. In doing so, he will pay more than $5 million in long-overdue taxes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently disclosed that Justice and his wife owe $5.16 million in accumulated taxes and interest. This total is from their tax assessments stretching as far back as 2015. This agreement comes after a lawsuit accused them of having “neglected or refused to make full payment” on taxes dating back to 2009.
Given Secretary Justice’s tremendous business interests, including his coal and agricultural operations secretaries have faced fire for financial dealings around the time of his confirmation. At his peak, Forbes estimated his net worth at a staggering $1.9 billion. According to his own estimates, by 2025, his net worth will be at “zero or less.” This shocking drop in net worth leads to questions about what financial decisions he’s making, as he works to continue his political career.
Having led West Virginia from 2017 until he transitioned to the Senate in 2025, Justice’s political career followed decades of running his family’s coal empire, which operated numerous mines across several states. Throughout this period, he continued to be a leader in state politics, invoking moral appeals to create economic development and job creation throughout the state.
In light of the new tax indictment, Justice has called charges against him “politically motivated.” He singled out the dangers of such predicaments for big corporate actors. He likened their struggles to the adversity faced by other high-profile figures, including former President Donald Trump.
“It’s just a situation that big companies deal with all the time,” – Senator Jim Justice
Justice’s settlement will finally put to rest the tax confusion involving his dealings that has lasted for years. He would have to pay this eye-watering amount in order to make his slate clean. This step protects his future political career in the Senate as a continuing political player.
“At the end of the day, I’d say just let it be and see how it all plays out,” – Senator Jim Justice