Debt paid on historic hotel owned by family of West Virginia governor, a US Senate candidate
The family of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, who is also a Republican candidate for the US Senate, has announced that they have successfully paid off debts to prevent the foreclosure of their renowned hotel, The Greenbrier. The 710-room hotel, famous for hosting U.S. presidents, royalty, and congressional retreats, faced the threat of being auctioned off at a Lewisburg courthouse this summer. This situation arose after JPMorgan Chase sold a longstanding loan held by the governor to a credit collection company, Beltway Capital, which then declared the loan to be in default.
In August, the Justice family disclosed that they had come to an agreement with Beltway Capital to settle a specific amount by October 24, 2024, thereby avoiding the scheduled auction on October 25. Legal representatives for the Justice family confirmed in a press release to The Associated Press that they have “met their obligations to Beltway Capital and cleared the Beltway Capital debt in full.”
The family emphasised in a statement that this accomplishment is part of their ongoing commitment to securing the long-term stability and success of their assets, including The Greenbrier Resort, touted as America’s Premier Resort. Governor Justice expressed that the Beltway situation was unfairly politically motivated and stressed the financial burden it had placed on them, stating, “You can let 2,000 people suffer because of a bad act happening to the Justice family, or you could find a way.”
The Greenbrier employs approximately 2,000 workers and has been a focal point for activities such as hosting a PGA Tour golf tournament from 2010 to 2019 and providing facilities for NFL teams’ training camps and practices. Governor Justice, who owns numerous businesses and was estimated to have a net worth of $513 million by Forbes Magazine in 2021, is contesting the U.S. Senate seat against Democrat Glenn Elliott.
The outgoing U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, who previously switched from being a Democrat to an Independent, currently holds the seat. Notably, Governor Justice faced legal challenges for delayed payments on millions in family business debts and fines related to hazardous working conditions at his coal mines.
Governor Justice assumed office for his first term in 2017 after acquiring The Greenbrier following its bankruptcy in 2009. The hotel, located in White Sulphur Springs, is also notable for housing a secret 112,000-square-foot underground bunker constructed during the Cold War to shelter Congress in case of a nuclear attack, which is now open for public tours.