W.Va. Democrats Call For Justice Ethics Investigation 

The West Virginia Democratic Party is calling for a federal investigation into Sen. Jim Justice and his efforts to maintain control of the Greenbrier Resort.  

The most recent court filing in an already combative series of accusations comes from White Sulphur Springs Holdings (WSSH), one of several businesses under the umbrella of Omni Hotels & Resorts, owned by Texas billionaire Robert Rowling. 

WSSH purchased the loan that Justice and his family have on the historic resort. They asked the court last month to appoint a receiver – a neutral third party – to take control of the property in order to protect their investment.   

That move followed a meeting between the two parties on April 6.  

“At that meeting, the Senator and his counsel threatened WSSH if it continued collection efforts, informing WSSH that the Justice Defendants had influence over or appointed all the state court judges in West Virginia and that WSSH could not get a fair trial in West Virginia,” they wrote in a Friday court filing. “But the Justice Defendants’ blatant disregard for the Greenbrier Resort — including the physical property, employees, and vendor relationships — forced WSSH to turn to the Court despite these threats.” 

Democratic Party chairman Mike Pushkin said his party has reached out to the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee. 

“This is a pretty serious allegation against Senator jJustice, and it should be investigated,” Pushkin said.  “We’d like to know who these judges are. It draws in the integrity of our entire judiciary in West Virginia.” 

In a statement, Justice did not respond directly to the allegations but pointed to his lengthy work in West Virginia.  

“For me, serving West Virginia has never been about a title. It’s been a lifelong mission. As a businessman, as Governor, and now in the Senate, my only goal has been to work for the people of my state,” Justice said. “It’s a shame to see that kind of dedication questioned for the sake of a political point, but I know the people of this state know my heart. I’ve never wavered in my commitment to them, and I’m certainly not going to start now.”  

Judge Frank Volk of the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia will hear evidence May 11 on whether to grant the motion for receivership. The federal case is further complicated by a related suit the Justice family brought in Greenbrier County Circuit Court. 

Read the court filing below: