HUNTINGTON – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Williams has asked his opponent and current Attorney General Patrick Morrissey to launch a formal investigation into financial problems involving The Greenbrier and Gov. Jim Justice.
Williams issued a statement last week questioning the lack of an investigation into the Justice Companies’ failure to remit $3.5 million in sales taxes collected at The Greenbrier to the state as required by law, the failure to pay $2.4 million in employee health insurance premiums at The Greenbrier — including a portion withheld from employee payroll to cover their costs — and the failure to repay a $36 million CARES Act loan.
“Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has repeatedly stated that ‘fighting fraud, waste, abuse and corruption’ has been a priority since he took office,” Williams, who is currently mayor of Huntington, said in an Aug. 22 news release. “But now we are faced with the shocking revelation that the governor’s business interests have apparently diverted funds — collected from employees and customers through health insurance premiums and sales tax revenues — away from their intended purposes.
“This is a serious problem that not only violates the law but also betrays public trust.”
Williams noted that The Greenbrier’s actions are an example of misuse of money that does not belong to the company.
“What the governor is doing is essentially taking money that should have gone to the state and their employee health insurance plan, as well as taxpayer money that was made available through the CARES Act, and that is wrong,” Williams said. “The people of West Virginia deserve better.”
John Mangalonzo, a spokesman for the attorney general’s office, noted that the office has little authority to handle such cases.
“Our office traditionally does not comment on potential investigative cases based on media reports,” Mangalonzo said. West Virginia Record“Furthermore, in West Virginia, the attorney general has very limited authority to independently take legal actions within the authority of other state agencies unless that authority is delegated to the attorney general’s office by the Legislature, the governor or an appropriate agency.”
Williams and Morrissey will face off in the Nov. 5 general election to fill the seat vacated by Justice, a Republican who has served the maximum number of two four-year terms. He is now running for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Sen. Joe Manchin (R-IW.Va.) against Democrat Glenn Elliott, who is mayor of Wheeling.
Williams called on Morrissey to “demonstrate his commitment to holding all public officials accountable, regardless of their position or political affiliation.”
“If fighting corruption is truly a priority for our Attorney General, he must act quickly to investigate these claims,” Williams said in a news release. “The people of West Virginia deserve transparency and accountability from those who hold the highest office in our state.”
In his statement, Williams said he remains committed to ensuring West Virginia government serves the people “fairly and equitably.” As governor, Williams said he “pledges to hold all public officials accountable and restore confidence in the state’s leadership.”
In addition to Williams and Morrissey, other candidates running for governor are Chase Linko-Looper of the Mountain Party, Erika Kolenich of the Libertarian Party and S. Marshall Wilson of the Constitution Party.
