The Greenbrier Hotel, owned by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice's family, is scheduled for a public auction on October 25, 2024, at the Greenbrier County Courthouse. Attorney Steve Ruby has stated that the auction is a 'procedural matter' related to a payment due by October 24, 2024, to Beltway Capital. The Justice family has defaulted on at least $9.4 million in loans, leading to this auction. A previous auction was averted in August after the family reached a payment agreement, but the current situation remains precarious as the family has not made the necessary payments to avoid the auction. If the payment is made on time, the auction may not take place, which is crucial as the hotel employs between 1,500 to 2,000 people, highlighting its importance to the local economy and tourism sector.
In addition to the auction, Governor Jim Justice's family is reportedly $2.4 million behind on health insurance payments for employees at The Greenbrier hotel, raising concerns among union representatives. Union official Peter Bostic has claimed that these delinquencies are well-documented, despite Justice's denials that there are any issues with payment regularity. The situation has escalated, with Justice's family not contributing to the health fund for the past four months, and an additional $1.2 million due soon. Governor Justice has stated that he restored employee benefits after purchasing the hotel in 2009 and is currently running for a U.S. Senate seat against Democrat Glenn Elliott.
Moreover, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) has reported ongoing problems with prescription drug coverage for retirees of Justice's coal companies. The UMWA filed a court document indicating that it is collaborating with Justice's Bluestone Coal Corp. to address unpaid medical bills incurred by retirees. The union has requested the court to extend a stay on its motion to hold Bluestone and four other Justice family-controlled coal firms in contempt for failing to comply with a 2021 order to provide uninterrupted healthcare and prescription drug coverage. The UMWA has previously indicated that intermittent lapses in prescription drug coverage have affected 250 to 300 recipients. Bluestone Coal has attributed these coverage issues to faulty records transfer and is working to resolve the remaining problems. The UMWA has reported a breakdown in communication with Bluestone and is awaiting a response to resolve the failure to enroll a UMWA pensioner with the required years of service for healthcare. The union has indicated that they would renew their motion for contempt if the companies fail to comply with the court order.
As these financial challenges mount, Justice's business dealings and personal finances are under increasing scrutiny, further complicating his public image as he navigates these issues while campaigning for a Senate seat. Local leaders have emphasized the importance of responsible ownership for the community's tourism economy, as the outcome of the auction and the financial health of The Greenbrier Hotel could have significant implications for the region. [33d7b54a][b8b1b619][5987a799]