GOP Sen Jim Justice agrees to pay $5 million in back taxes after DOJ lawsuit

The DOJ's lawsuit said that the Justices had been contacted by the Treasury Department and were given notice of their 2009 debt, but “have neglected or refused to make full payment of those assessments to the United States”

By Natalia Mittelstadt

Published: November 25, 2025 12:30pm

West Virginia GOP Sen. Jim Justice agreed to pay $5 million in back taxes after the Department of Justice sued him over unpaid funds from 2009.

The DOJ filed the lawsuit on Monday in the Southern District of West Virginia, and said that Justice and his wife had been contacted by the Treasury Department and were given notice of their 2009 debt, but “have neglected or refused to make full payment of those assessments to the United States,” NBC News reported.

The lawsuit asked that Justice, a former billionaire, and his wife pay the amount owed and any relief the court “deems just and proper.”

Later on Monday, a filing said that the DOJ and the Justices had settled, with the couple agreeing to pay the full amount owed. A judge must sign off on the agreement.

Last month, the IRS filed liens against Justice and his wife of more than $8 million on unpaid taxes dating back to 2009.

Justice, who has been a senator since January after serving as governor, was previously known as the heir to the West Virginia coal company Bluestone.