WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV (WVNS) – Democratic candidate for West Virginia governor Steve Williams called in a statement for an investigation into “misuse of funds” at the Greenbrier.
According to a press release, Williams, the current mayor of Huntington, asked acting Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R-WV) to open a formal investigation into the alleged misuse of funds by Gov. Jim Justice’s businesses. The request said the investigation involves several things related to the Greenbrier and money.
The request asked the Attorney General to investigate the alleged failure to pay the state $3.5 million in sales tax collected at the Greenbrier Resort, the Justice Companies’ failure to pay $2.4 million in health insurance premiums for the Greenbrier’s employees, and the failure to repay a $36 million CARES Act loan.
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is Mayor Williams’ Republican opponent in the upcoming West Virginia governor’s race. Williams spoke about the request and how shocking the potential misuse of funds is.
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has repeatedly stated since taking office that “fighting fraud, waste, abuse and corruption” is his top priority. But now we are faced with the shocking revelation that the governor’s business interests appear to have diverted funds – collected from employees and customers through health insurance premiums and sales tax revenue – for other purposes. This is a solemn problem that not only violates the law, but also betrays the public’s trust.
The governor’s job is essentially to exploit funds that should have gone to the state and its employees’ health insurance plans, as well as taxpayer money made available through the CARES Act, and that is wrong. The people of West Virginia deserve better.
If fighting corruption is truly a priority for our Attorney General, he must investigate these allegations quickly. The citizens of West Virginia have a right to transparency and accountability from those who hold the highest offices in our state.
Steve Williams | Mayor of Huntington – Candidate for Governor of West Virginia
This latest request comes just one day after The Greenbrier auction was avoided due to a Deal that was made.
The alleged problems at the Greenbrier are not the only legal issues facing businesses owned by Governor Justice. A handful Coal companies owned by the family of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, Fighting a civil contempt motion filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia on 6 August 2024.
