Associated Press Published

McDowell County Sheriff: Justice Paid Back Taxes

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A McDowell County official says a coal company owned by Jim Justice has paid off a $1.1 million tax debt owed by a former owner.

Sheriff Martin B. West says the county received the final $166,000 payment on Wednesday.

The debt was owed by Bluestone Coal, which Justice acquired from Mechel Bluestone Inc. in February.

West had sued Mechel Bluestone Inc. in 2014 to collect delinquent taxes.

West says in news release that he and chief tax deputy Shelia Woolridge reached an agreement with officials from Jim Justice Corporation to pay the tax debt. The initial payment of $780,232 was made on April 30.

The sheriff says the tax revenue will help the budgets of the County Commission and the Board of Education.