Feds file suit against Gov. Justice's coal companies, seeking $4.8M in fines

The federal government is suing Gov. Jim Justice’s coal companies for about $4.8 million in mine safety penalties and fines, according to a complaint filed Tuesday.

Justice, whose 23 coal companies do business in Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky, repeatedly violated the Mine Safety and Health Act, racking up millions in penalties and subsequent fines, according to the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia.

The lawsuit lists Justice, his son, James “Jay” Justice III, and daughter, Dr. Jill Justice, as controllers of the mines.

The citations span from May 2014 to May 2019. In that time period, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration issued at least 2,297 citations for about $4 million, according to the lawsuit.

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