Republican Senator Jim Justice may be in trouble with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Sen. Justice of West Virginia has agreed to pay nearly $5.2 million in overdue personal taxes, the latest saga for the former billionaire who has been followed by a trail of financial challenges going back well over a decade.
The liability stems from unpaid taxes dating back to 2009, and the resolution was formalized through a court-approved consent judgment. This settlement includes the principal tax owed, accrued interest, and penalties, marking a legal closure to one portion of Justice’s longstanding tax obligations.
Justice, once counted among West Virginia’s wealthiest individuals, has faced financial turbulence for more than a decade. Reports indicate that the IRS had previously filed liens exceeding $8 million against him and his wife for unpaid federal taxes, while state authorities have also imposed liens on some of his resort and business properties.
An attorney for Justice and his wife, Cathy, entered into a joint motion for consent judgment with the federal government on Monday, the same day the government filed a lawsuit saying the couple “have neglected or refused to make full payment” for the income taxes dating to 2009.
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The $5.2 million payment highlights the broader challenges of fiscal management and public trust for elected officials. While this resolution removes one immediate legal and financial cloud, it is uncertain whether this will significantly improve his overall financial stability or affect his ability to manage ongoing debts and liabilities. The long-term implications for his business holdings and other tax-related issues remain unclear.
Justice had a fortune estimated at $1.9 billion last decade by Forbes magazine, which stripped his billionaire title in 2021, when Justice’s worth had dwindled to an estimated $513 million.
As of 2025, Justice owns a variety of substantial assets in West Virginia, with The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs serving as his flagship property. The Greenbrier, a historic luxury resort he purchased in 2009 out of bankruptcy, continues to operate as a high-end destination and contributes significantly to the local economy.
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Beyond the resort, Justice maintains business interests across coal, agriculture, and energy sectors. These holdings historically generated substantial revenue, including operations once tied to companies like Bluestone Coal and various agricultural enterprises.
Many of his businesses face operational and market challenges, particularly in the declining coal sector, and some of his corporate entities are privately held, making revenue and profitability difficult to verify. Media reports suggest that liabilities, including legal claims, unpaid obligations, and business debts, are substantial and may exceed the value of his holdings.
Beyond his core holdings, Justice’s other business operations in coal, agriculture, and energy continue to function, but the profitability and sustainability of these ventures are uncertain due to shifting market conditions, regulatory changes, and declining demand in some sectors. Justice’s holdings represent a mix of tangible assets, ongoing operations, and financial risk.