West Virginia Gov. Justice’s Greenbrier Hotel to be auctioned off

GREENBRIER COUNTY, WV (WOWK) — U.S. Senate candidate and Gov. Jim Justice and his family’s hotel is being put up for auction due to default, according to a notice of trustee’s sale.

The Greenbrier Hotel auction will happen on Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Greenbrier County Courthouse, according to the document, and it will be sold to the highest bidder.

In a statement from the Justice Companies, they called this, “Another political stunt by the Democrat machine.”

The statement goes on to say, “Governor Jim Justice has had a long standing personal banking relationship with JPMorgan Chase dating back decades. As part of that relationship the Governor had pledged a second lien position in the Greenbrier Resort behind Carter Bank & Trust to obtain better banking terms from JPMorgan Chase. Over the past several years the Governor has paid down his debt to JPMorgan substantially.” JP Morgan & Chase said they have no comment on this matter.

That loan was sold, according to a spokesperson, to Beltway Capital and immediately declared in default. The spokesperson called the move deceitful and a political stunt, and the Greenbrier’s services will remain uninterrupted.

On behalf of Gov. Jim Justice and his companies, Attorney Bob Wolford said in part, “Let me be clear that the Greenbrier will not be sold, and the Justice family will take all necessary action to ensure that there will not be any adverse impact on their ownership of the Greenbrier or the Greenbrier’s operations and the ability of the Greenbrier to continue to provide world class service for its guests will be uninterrupted.”

After these statements were released, West Virginia Democratic Party Chair and Kanawha County Del. Mike Pushkin said in part, “Governor Jim Justice’s reckless financial behavior has not only embarrassed himself but has also cast a shadow over West Virginia on a national scale. His actions are a disservice to the hardworking citizens of our state, who deserve better leadership and fiscal responsibility then what they are getting out of the Grifter in Chief.”

According to The Greenbrier’s website, Gov. Justice bought the resort in 2009 from CSX Corporation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOWK 13 News.