West Virginia governor’s coal empire sued by government over unpaid fines

Justice department files lawsuit against companies linked to Republican Jim Justice seeking unpaid penalties of $7.6m

The coal empire of the West Virginia governor Jim Justice faces a civil lawsuit over unpaid penalties related to mining operations violations that “pose health and safety risks or threaten environmental harm”, the US justice department said on Wednesday.

The department said it had filed suit against the governor’s son, James C Justice III, and 13 coal companies he owns or operates.