West Virginia Senator Jim Justice and his family businesses have agreed to pay nearly $5.2 million in overdue taxes, resolving a years-long dispute with federal and state authorities, according to court filings unsealed November 25, 2025. The settlement, finalized in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia,closes a chapter on financial scrutiny that shadowed Justice throughout his business career and recent political ascent.
The agreement impacts Justice’s coal operations and real estate holdings across West Virginia and Virginia. The tax liabilities stem from unpaid federal income taxes, as well as state taxes in both west Virginia and Virginia, dating back to 2009. The resolution comes as Justice nears the end of his first year in the U.S. Senate, and avoids a potentially disruptive trial that could have further intricate his political future.
The settlement details reveal Justice’s Bluestone Resources will pay $3,563,689 to the United States Treasury, while Justice personally and through other affiliated businesses will remit $1,637,876 to West Virginia and Virginia tax authorities. The filings indicate the payments will be made over a period of six years.
The tax issues originated with investigations into Justice’s business practices, including allegations of unpaid mine taxes and improper accounting. In 2019, a federal judge ordered Justice to pay over $2.5 million in unpaid debts to several mining companies. These legal battles continued even after Justice entered politics, culminating in the current settlement.
