US Senator Jim Justice has agreed to pay over $5 million in back taxes from 2009, settling a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department just hours earlier. This resolution comes amid ongoing financial scrutiny of the former West Virginia governor and businessman.
The agreement was reached on Monday, following a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice in the Southern District of West Virginia. The suit accused Justice and his wife of neglecting to pay federal income taxes from 2009, amounting to $5.16 million plus interest. Under the settlement, the couple will repay the full amount, though no specific timeline for payment was disclosed. A judge must still approve the agreement before it is finalized.
Jim Justice, a Republican, is in his first term as a U.S. senator after serving as governor of West Virginia from 2017 to 2025. He inherited his family’s coal mining and agriculture empire, which once propelled his net worth to an estimated $1.9 billion in 2021. However, by 2025, Forbes estimated his net worth had plummeted to “less than zero,” reflecting significant financial declines and mounting debts across his business ventures.
The tax debt dates back to 2009, and the IRS had previously filed liens against the Justices for over $8 million in other unpaid personal taxes. Additionally, the family faces $1.4 million in liens for unpaid sales taxes tied to their historic Greenbrier Resort, a luxury property in White Sulphur Springs that narrowly avoided foreclosure last year after the family settled other obligations. These financial pressures highlight the complexity of Justice’s extensive business portfolio.
In October, Justice publicly characterized the tax assessments as “politically motivated,” drawing parallels to legal challenges faced by former President Donald Trump. He asserted that large corporations frequently encounter such issues and recommended allowing the process to unfold naturally. His comments came during a media briefing where he defended his family’s business operations, which are now managed by his children, whom he praised for their competence.
Beyond the tax settlement, Justice’s financial woes include a court order mandating the sale of six family companies to satisfy outstanding debts. These developments underscore the ongoing legal and economic challenges he faces, even as he maintains that collection efforts are influenced by political factors. The Greenbrier Resort, a key asset, has been at the center of these struggles, requiring repeated interventions to avoid financial collapse.
Justice’s political ascent has been closely tied to his business background, yet his financial practices have attracted increased attention. He secured his Senate seat in 2024 by defeating his Democratic opponent by more than 40 percentage points, mirroring Trump’s dominant performance in West Virginia. This electoral success has not shielded him from legal and financial challenges, raising questions about the intersection of wealth, politics, and accountability.
The settlement awaits judicial approval, and once finalized, it will mark a significant step in resolving Justice’s tax obligations. However, other financial pressures persist, highlighting broader issues of transparency and ethics in political leadership. This case may influence public perception and future scrutiny of elected officials’ personal finances, potentially shaping debates over financial disclosures and conflicts of interest.
