The IRS has put two liens on Senator Jim Justice and his wife, Kathy, due to unpaid tax debts that exceed $8 million.
This information was initially shared by Politico’s Ry Liburd.
Metro News tried to contact Justice through his Senate office and the public relations department at the Greenbrier Resort, owned by the Justice family, but received no reply.
The IRS filed the lien on October 2, and it was made public alongside the Greenbrier County Clerk.
According to the IRS, “We have requested payment of the debt and it remains unpaid. Consequently, a lien exists in favor of the United States on all property and rights belonging to this taxpayer in the amount of these taxes and any additional penalties, interest and costs that may be incurred.”
The total claimed by the IRS is $8,053,554.37, which dates back several years.
The tax liabilities are broken down as follows: for 2009, it stands at $3,060,855.27. For 2017, it’s listed as $4,957,763.72, along with $24,044.80 for that same year and $10,890.58 for 2022.
A lien represents a legal claim against property – be it real estate, personal possessions, or financial assets – until the owed sum is cleared. After full payment, the IRS provides a Certificate of Exemption, relieving the claim on the property and updating public records.
Previously, in 2021, the IRS filed multiple liens against business entities associated with Justice. However, the current filings seem to target Justice personally.
When asked for clarification back then, Justice, who was serving as a Republican governor, stated that there should be more scrutiny on his family’s businesses.
During a 2021 press conference, he remarked, “I’m very respectful and try to answer any questions… If you just stay out of the business of West Virginia as much as I am in the business of the state, the end result will be what I said it would be. It will be resolved.”
Last year, the West Virginia Department of Taxation also filed liens against Greenbrier Resort for sales taxes that had been collected but not sent to the state.
Justice indicated that the resort was on a payment plan to settle its tax obligations with the state over time. “As you know, the tax office has two payment plans, and they are completely up to date. Everything is fine there,” he said regarding the state debt.
Recently, numerous properties owned by Justice Holdings at Glade Springs were listed for foreclosure due to unpaid community fees, with many also showing overdue property taxes spanning several years. The list of delinquent properties in Raleigh County is set to be certified by the State Auditor’s Office on November 1st.
