The iconic Greenbrier Resort may be auctioned off later this month to settle the debt of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice.
A notice was published on Wednesday in Greenbrier County of the pending auction of the Greenbrier Resort, which has hosted presidents, diplomats, lawmakers and golf champions.
Justice has owned the Greenbrier since 2009, but he owes hundreds of millions of dollars to various creditors who are seeking repayment.
In a statement, the Justice family said the Greenbrier would not be sold and accused creditor JP Morgan Chase and Democrats of a political stunt. Justice is a Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate whose victory in November is needed for the party to gain a majority in the chamber.
The statement said Justice had been working in good faith with JP Morgan to pay down the debt, but that last month, the bank sold the loan to another institution that declared it in default.
“Governor Justice and the Justice Companies will vigorously defend their position and take necessary protective action while they continue to evaluate significant damage claims against JPMorgan Chase and the other parties involved,” said Bob Wolford, an attorney for the Justices.
Should it take place, the auction will be held at 2 p.m. on Aug. 27 on the steps of the courthouse in Lewisburg.