West Virginia's newly elected Sen. Jim Justice has found himself in hot water with the federal government over a staggering tax bill.

Hours after the Department of Justice’s Tax Division filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Sen. Justice and his wife agreed to pay over $5 million in unpaid income taxes dating back to 2009, the Daily Caller reported.

This debt, totaling $5,164,739.75, includes federal income taxes, penalties, interest, and additional fees that have piled up over more than a decade. While a joint motion stipulates the full amount plus ongoing interest must be paid, no specific timeline for repayment has been set, pending a judge’s approval.

Senator’s Long History of Financial Struggles

Justice, who inherited a coal mining business and later acquired a historic mountain resort, has faced financial scrutiny since at least 2016. Reports of unpaid bills, taxes, and fines to coal suppliers and regulators have shadowed his career, with Forbes estimating earlier this year that his liabilities outstrip his assets.

Adding to the burden, the West Virginia Tax Division filed claims of over $1.3 million against his resort and sporting companies just a few months ago. The IRS also issued notices of tax lien last month, alleging the couple owed more than $8 million.

These mounting debts paint a troubling picture for a man who transitioned from a Democratic governor to a Republican senator, winning his Senate seat in a landslide this year. It’s hard to ignore the irony of a public servant championing fiscal conservatism while grappling with personal financial chaos.

Justice’s Dismissive Stance on Tax Claims

At an October news briefing, Justice seemed to shrug off the IRS claims, calling them “more of a political move.” He suggested that such disputes are routine for big companies, a tone that feels out of touch when taxpayers expect accountability from their leaders.

His casual remark, “At the end of the day, I’d say just let it be and see how it all plays out,” hardly inspires confidence in a swift resolution. Brushing off millions in debt as a mere political game risks alienating even his most loyal supporters, who value transparency.

This isn’t just about numbers on a ledger; it’s about the trust West Virginians placed in a man who campaigned as a problem-solver. If Justice can’t manage his own finances, skeptics might wonder how he’ll handle the state’s economic challenges in Washington.

Political Allies and Public Perception

Despite the legal action initiated under the Trump administration’s Department of Justice, Justice remains a close ally of President Donald Trump, who carried West Virginia by a wide margin in the recent election. This connection might shield him from some political fallout, but it doesn’t erase the questions about his personal conduct.

Switching parties after his 2016 gubernatorial win and now stepping into the Senate seat once held by Joe Manchin, Justice has positioned himself as a voice for conservative values. Yet, these tax woes could undermine his credibility when pushing for policies on fiscal restraint or government overreach.

For a state that often feels overlooked, West Virginians deserve representatives who embody the grit and integrity they pride themselves on. Justice’s financial baggage might not disqualify him, but it certainly complicates the narrative of a leader fighting for the little guy.

What This Means for West Virginia’s Future

As Justice steps into his Senate role, this settlement looms as a reminder that personal accountability matters, even for those waving the banner of limited government. Voters who backed him for his business acumen might now question whether that experience translates to responsible governance.

The lack of a clear payment schedule in the agreement only adds to the uncertainty, leaving room for this issue to resurface down the line. If Justice hopes to maintain the trust of his constituents, addressing this head-on with humility, not deflection, would be a wise start.

West Virginia has long been a stronghold for leaders who promise to fight federal overreach, but Justice’s tax saga risks flipping that script, casting him as someone caught in the very system he critiques. This isn’t the end of his story, but it’s a chapter that demands scrutiny from a public weary of double standards.