U.S. Senator Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) has settled a longstanding dispute with the IRS by agreeing to pay close to $5.2 million in overdue federal income taxes, bringing to a close a 16-year battle over unpaid taxes and adding another chapter to the former billionaire's ongoing financial troubles,
according to sources
. The agreement, which comes after the Justice Department initiated legal action to recover the funds, includes a judgment for $5.16 million along with statutory interest and penalties
as detailed in court documents
. The settlement was filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
on Monday
.
The IRS lawsuit claimed that Justice and his wife, Cathy, had "failed or refused to fully pay" tax debts going back to 2009, despite repeated requests for payment
as reported
. The couple jointly submitted a motion for consent judgment,
accepting the settlement terms
.
This payment comes after
a series of financial setbacks for Justice, who inherited a coal business and owns the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. Forbes estimated his net worth in 2025 as "less than zero," with debts surpassing his assets.
Justice's financial difficulties have long attracted public attention. In 2021,
the IRS placed liens totaling $1.18 million
on the Greenbrier Hotel and its medical clinic for unpaid taxes, though those obligations were eventually resolved.
Earlier this year
, state tax authorities filed $1.4 million in liens against the resort for outstanding sales taxes. The Justice family narrowly avoided foreclosure on the Greenbrier in 2024
after negotiating a settlement
with a debt collection agency.
A union representative at the resort previously stated
that the family owed $2.4 million in overdue employee health insurance contributions.
The senator, who assumed office in January after defeating Democrat Glenn Elliott and succeeding retiring Sen. Joe Manchin, has come under fire for his handling of finances. At a 2024 press conference, Justice dismissed the collection actions as "politically motivated" and described his businesses as "complex and complicated," praising his children for "doing an outstanding job" managing them
according to reports
.
The IRS has also sought to collect other debts from Justice.
In October 2025
, the agency filed liens amounting to $8 million for unpaid personal taxes. At the same time, the Justice family has been involved in other legal disputes,
such as a postponed foreclosure auction
on resort property near Beckley, W.Va., and ongoing conflicts over property taxes and environmental infractions at coal operations.
The recent settlement does not address all outstanding matters. The Greenbrier still faces risks from unresolved debts, and Justice's businesses continue to be scrutinized for their debt management practices.
The senator's office has not yet provided a comment
in response to inquiries.
This case highlights the precarious financial position of a once-wealthy public figure now contending with lawsuits and increased public oversight. With the tax dispute settled, the Justice family's ability to regain financial stability will depend on resolving their remaining legal and monetary challenges.
