Jim Justice Owned Company in Contempt of Court Over Debt

  A company owned by billionaire coal businessman and gubernatorial candidate Jim Justice is in contempt of federal court after a judge says the company hasn’t paid debts and has repeatedly failed to show up for court hearings.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that U.S. District Judge Irene Berger ordered Justice Energy Company in contempt on Jan. 5 for not paying a nearly $150,000 debt owed to a construction equipment company.

Berger fined the coal mining and leasing company $30,000 per day, beginning Jan. 5, until the company is in full compliance. The debt is more than two years old.

Company spokesman Tom Lusk says in a statement that the company is using a payment plan to paying off the debt.

Justice, who also owns The Greenbrier resort, is running for governor as a Democrat.