Leading up to the 2024 election, and in the subsequent months after the election, Jim Justice was able to sustain the illusion that his family business finances were in good shape. That period was a significant shift from previous years when story after story appeared around Justice’s non-payment or slow payment of bills, delinquent debts and legal fights over financial obligations.
But now another wave of reports about Justice’s money problems demonstrates that any image of financial stability for the former governor and sitting United States Senator was a façade. Consider what has emerged just in the last few days:
MetroNews’ Brad McElhinny reported Wednesday that the West Virginia Tax Division has filed liens on the Greenbrier Hotel and the Greenbrier Sporting Club, both owned by Justice’s family, over sales taxes that were collected but not remitted. “The $1.36 million in financial obligations to the state piled up months ago, but the liens were filed with the Greenbrier County Clerk over the last several weeks,” McElhinny reported.
It is the second time in less than two years the state Tax Division has placed liens on Greenbrier properties for failing to turn over collected sales taxes. In the former case, Justice worked out a payment plan for the delinquent taxes and the liens were eventually withdrawn.
The Gazette-Mail’s Mike Tony reported that nearly 400 parcels at the Justice Holdings-owned Glade Springs Resort in Raleigh County are slated for public auction later this month to satisfy liens against the properties for non-payment of dues to the resort association. The state Supreme Court Wednesday agreed to halt the auction of the properties until the case can be more thoroughly reviewed.
Tony also reported that Justice Holdings owes $37,000 in delinquent property taxes in Raleigh County on over 300 parcels, mostly in Glade Springs Village.
These obligations are similar to ones that have come up frequently over the years relating to Justice and his family business finances. But also, a new—and potentially more serious—financial problem for Justice emerged over the weekend.
Politico’s Ry Rivard and Jordain Carney reported that the IRS has filed a federal tax lien against Justice, listing the Senator and his wife, Cathy, “as having a total balance of more than $8 million in unpaid assessments.”
McElhinny reported on what the IRS stated in its lien filing with the Greenbrier County Clerk: “We have made a demand for payment of the liability, but it remains unpaid. Therefore, there is a lien in favor of the United States on all property and rights belonging to this taxpayer for the amount of these taxes and additional penalties, interest, and costs that may accrue.”
Justice has frequently been identified as West Virginia’s wealthiest individual. In 2021, Forbes Magazine estimated Justice was worth as much as $1.9 billion. So just a few years ago, an $8 million debt would have been nothing more than a rounding error for him.
However, that same financial magazine last January reported that even with his substantial assets, Justice “is in hock to the tune of more than $1 billion in the form of personally guaranteed bank loans, debt, court judgments, and environmental liabilities. By Forbes’ reckoning, the new Republican Senator has a net worth of less than zero.”
When questioned about the debts and obligations, Justice frequently admonishes reporters to stay out of his private affairs and he reminds them that at the end of the day, the bills get paid… eventually. One wonders how conciliatory the IRS will be to Justice’s gasbagging.
Justice likes to say that he’s working for “Toby and Edith.” They are fictional personas who represent decent, good-hearted West Virginians. Justice has not said as much, but we can imagine those forbearing folk follow the rules and make good on their financial obligations.
Justice, a U.S. Senator, now faces financial claims by the federal government, Raleigh County, a neighborhood association and the West Virginia Tax Division. At the least, as one of 100 U.S. Senators making decisions about national policy, Justice must make sure he is square with the IRS. More broadly, he should live up to the ideals of Toby and Edith and ensure he’s setting a good financial example for his neighbors.