West Virginia Republican Gov. Jim Justice in Fight to Keep Historic Hotel Amid U.S. Senate Campaign
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, who is running for a U.S. Senate seat, now finds himself embroiled in a high-stakes battle to retain ownership of his historic Greenbrier resort. The iconic luxury hotel, renowned for hosting both U.S. presidents and international dignitaries, faces a public auction due to alleged financial troubles linked to unpaid debts, marking a dramatic chapter in the governor's multifaceted political and business life.
The Auction Notice
A recent legal notice published in the West Virginia Daily News has stirred controversy, announcing a public auction for the Greenbrier. The auction, scheduled for August 27 at the Greenbrier County Courthouse in Lewisburg, involves 60.5 acres, including the hotel and its accompanying parking facilities. This development is the latest indication of the Justice family's ongoing financial strain, exacerbated by a series of legal claims regarding overdue debts across various family-owned businesses.
Financial Background
Forbes Magazine calculated Jim Justice's net worth at an impressive $513 million in 2021, derived from a wide array of business ventures, primarily in coal and hospitality. However, his tenure as governor, which began in 2017, has not shielded him from financial vulnerability. Over the years, he has faced numerous allegations in courts, being late in repayment of multimillion-dollar debts, including fines related to unsafe working conditions at his coal mines.
Justice's business journey took a pivotal turn in 2009 when he purchased The Greenbrier out of bankruptcy — a move lauded at the time but now viewed in a different light amid the backdrop of his mounting financial obligations. Beyond The Greenbrier, his family also manages The Greenbrier Sporting Club, an exclusive, members-only luxury community. Attempts to auction this property were thwarted earlier this year due to a protracted legal battle with Carter Bank & Trust, which sought to recover over $300 million in defaulted loans.
Controversies and Political Implications
With his political aspirations rising — as he campaigns to secure a seat in the U.S. Senate — Justice's financial entanglements have gained heightened scrutiny. A spokesperson for the governor publicly refrained from commenting, indicating that the upcoming auction is outside the scope of state government matters. Meanwhile, Justice’s attorney, Bob Wolford, has positioned the situation as a politically charged conflict, alleging that JPMorgan Chase Bank is colluding with Democrats to jeopardize Justice's campaign.
The narrative surrounding Justice's debts has drawn fierce criticism from the West Virginia Democratic Party, who contend that the looming foreclosure is simply a result of the governor's financial management failures, rather than a partisan assault. They argue that leveraging the situation for political gain is misleading and does not reflect the reality of the circumstances.
Current Status and Future Outlook
As the auction date nears, tensions continue to build. Justice has maintained in public statements that he is committed to keeping The Greenbrier and ensuring its operations will remain unhindered. In a July 13 financial disclosure report filed before the loan was sold to Beltway Capital Management, Justice disclosed a staggering debt associated with The Greenbrier, estimated between $25 million and $50 million.
Wolford emphasized that the Justice family will pursue all necessary legal avenues to safeguard their ownership of the hotel, asserting confidence in their capability to navigate the ongoing financial crisis. "Let me be clear that the Greenbrier will not be sold," he said firmly.
Conclusion
As Jim Justice stands at this crossroads of his political ambition and familial financial obligations, the outcome of this auction could significantly shape his candidacy for the Senate. The Greenbrier, not just a luxury resort but a symbol of West Virginia's heritage and hospitality, faces an uncertain future amid the tumult of financial distress and the political arena. How this conflict unfolds may resonate far beyond the hotel itself, influencing both the state's political landscape and the Justice family's legacy in West Virginia.