DOJ sues Jim Justice’s coal empire over unpaid fines for mining violations

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit Wednesday against West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s coal empire for failing to pay more than $5 million in civil fines imposed by the Department of the Interior.

The 128-page civil suit, filed against 13 of the Justice family businesses and Justice’s adult son, comes as the governor, a Republican, launches a Senate bid against Sen. Joe Manchin (DW. Va.).

The lawsuit alleges the companies failed to pay fines for more than 100 violations of federal mining regulations that created “health and safety hazards” or threatened “environmental harm.” Justice Department lawyers are seeking a court order to force justice companies to repay the fines, with interest.

The bulk of the lawsuit lays out individual violations of federal mining regulations, overseen by the Office of Surface Mines Reclamation and Enforcement. The Department of Justice notes that the imposition of these sanctions was “uncontested”.

In addition to the 13 mining companies, the suit identifies Jay Justice, the governor’s son, as the “owner, controller and/or agent of each of the justice companies.” Although the lawsuit does not name the senior judge, he has already come under scrutiny for unpaid fines as well as reports that he has always maintained a firm grip on the family business.

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