Recently, the IRS took an important step in a long-running financial dispute by filing a federal tax lien against Republican Senator Jim Justice of West Virginia. This action highlights the ongoing financial issues that have affected Justice, his family, and their business network over the years. The total amount in unpaid assessments listed in the IRS documents is over $8 million, and this represents the first instance of the IRS filing a lien against Justice personally, according to public records from Greenbrier County.
The IRS has not made any public comment on the case, stating that federal employees cannot discuss specific tax situations. The lien was filed on September 30 and stamped by a Greenbrier County clerk on October 2. The documents indicate that the IRS can pursue collection of a tax liability up to 10 years from the date it was assessed. The assessment in question is dated November 25, 2015, which suggests that the IRS is acting near the end of its 10-year window for taking action.
Justice, a reliable ally of former President Donald Trump, recently joined the Senate in January after flipping the seat previously held by retiring Senator Joe Manchin, a long-time Democrat-turned-Independent. The tax periods listed on the latest IRS document are 2009, 2017, and 2022, all of which were before he announced his Senate bid. Justice served as governor of West Virginia for two terms and faced a steady stream of news reports about the finances of his business empire and his family, which he repeatedly dismissed and vowed would be resolved.
During a 2021 briefing in West Virginia, Justice expressed his frustration with the media’s focus on his personal finances, stating that he would not allow them to interfere with his political work. He told reporters, ‘I’ve told everyone that if you’ll tend to the business of the state of West Virginia as I’m tending to the business of the state and you’ll just stay out of my family’s personal stuff you’ll find the final outcomes will be exactly what I’ve told you they’ll be. They’ll be worked out.’
In addition to the tax lien, the controversy over Justice’s finances has also drawn attention to the broader issue of financial transparency and accountability in public office. The case has raised questions about the extent to which political figures should be held to financial standards while serving in office. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the Justice family will respond to the new liability and how it may impact their political influence and financial standing.