Biden’s DOJ sues GOP governor’s son.
Biden DOJ Announces Lawsuit Against Republican Governor’s Son
The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against James C. Justice III, the son of Republican West Virginia Governor and Senate candidate Jim Justice, and 13 coal companies he owns or operates for unpaid civil penalties. According to the lawsuit filed on Tuesday, Justice’s coal companies have violated their legal obligations under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 for the past five years.
The Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement cited Justice on over 130 violations between 2018 and 2022 and issued 50 cessation orders to the companies. The lawsuit seeks the recovery of unpaid corporate civil penalties and individual civil penalties, along with the reclamation fee and audit debts. Defendants owe approximately $7.6 million in total.
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Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division said in a statement, “Our environmental laws serve to protect communities against adverse effects of industrial activities including surface coal mining operations. Through this suit, the Justice Department seeks to deliver accountability for defendants’ repeated violations of the law and to recover the penalties they owe as a result of those violations.”
James C. Justice III serves as the chief executive officer of Bluestone Resources, one of his father’s coal companies. In March, the Citizens Bank of West Virginia filed an application to garnish 20% of the governor’s $150,000 annual salary to cover a $861,085 judgement against Bluestone Resources. Governor Justice currently holds a 22-point lead on Democratic Senator Joe Manchin among West Virginia voters, according to a Tuesday East Carolina University poll.
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The DOJ declined to comment on the lawsuit. Governor Justice and James C. Justice III have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Key Takeaways:
- The DOJ has filed a lawsuit against James C. Justice III and 13 coal companies he owns or operates for unpaid civil penalties.
- Justice’s coal companies have violated their legal obligations under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 for the past five years.
- The lawsuit seeks the recovery of unpaid corporate civil penalties and individual civil penalties, along with the reclamation fee and audit debts. Defendants owe approximately $7.6 million in total.
- James C. Justice III serves as the chief executive officer of Bluestone Resources, one of his father’s coal companies.
- Governor Justice currently holds a 22-point lead on Democratic Senator Joe Manchin among West Virginia voters, according to a Tuesday East Carolina University poll.
The post Biden DOJ Announces Lawsuit Against Republican Governor’s Son appeared first on The Western Journal.
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