West Virginia Senator Jim Justice and his wife, Cathy Justice, have reached a significant settlement with the Internal Revenue Service, agreeing to pay more than $5 million to resolve over 15 years of unpaid federal income taxes.
Details of the IRS Lawsuit and Settlement
The IRS filed a lawsuit against the couple on Monday in the U.S. District Court for West Virginia. The legal action revealed that the Justices had accumulated unpaid income taxes dating all the way back to 2009. According to the court documents, the couple neglected or refused to make full payment despite receiving notices and demands from the federal government.
Hours after the lawsuit was filed, the Justices agreed to a motion for consent judgment, committing to pay the full amount owed. The total sum, which includes penalties and interest, comes to $5,164,739.75.
A History of Financial and Political Contradictions
This tax settlement adds a complex layer to Senator Justice's political narrative. The Republican senator was formerly the 36th governor of West Virginia and successfully campaigned for his current Senate seat in 2024 on a platform that included promises to lower taxes.
His financial background is equally notable. Justice, a 74-year-old coal mining heir, was once considered West Virginia's wealthiest resident. However, his financial situation appears to have drastically changed. A January report from Forbes suggested his net worth is now less than zero due to a combination of substantial debts and depreciating assets.
This is not the first major tax lien filed against the Justices. As recently as October, the IRS had filed a lien against them for an amount exceeding $8 million, according to documents obtained by Politico.
