Dozens of tracts owned by the branches of Gov. Jim Justice’s family business network have been up for auction this month in Raleigh, McDowell and Monroe counties because of unpaid property taxes that provide support for services like school systems.
The lots were available for sale because property taxes went unpaid and warnings were unheeded over more than a year. Although the lots have now been sold, the state’s process still allows months for Justice or his businesses to reclaim their property.
Property taxes in West Virginia go to support public school districts, local libraries, police, public parks and additional local government services.
In all, MetroNews counted 652 parcels valued at $338,385 up for sale in the three county auctions.
Responding to a MetroNews question during a regular news briefing today, Justice characterized the topic as unfair and suggested the debts will be paid eventually.
“At the end of the day, it’s like a constant barrage over my family stuff — and at the end of the day it seems to always get worked out. And my job is to be your governor. That’s my job, and that’s what I do. That’s what I do all the time,” Justice said.
In summary, he said, “To be perfectly honest, as honest as I know how to be, I don’t know one thing about the question that you’ve asked about.” Then, reaching for a Bible on his desk, Justice said, “I can tell that to God above, right now. Right now to God above, absolutely, with all in me, I don’t know anything about that.”
Raleigh County’s land auction was Wednesday in a ceremonial courtroom, McDowell County’s was today in the local armory, and Monroe County’s was last Tuesday in the county courthouse.
Of the three counties, Raleigh County had the most Justice tracts up for auction. Officials said at the auction there 499 Justice properties were sold. The amount of taxes owed was $287,871. The amount of bids collected was $783,396.
Justice, a two-term Republican governor now running for U.S. Senate, was once considered West Virginia’s only billionaire and made his early political reputation on the strength of his business acumen. He has never has placed all of his assets into a blind trust. He does produce an annual financial disclosure form that includes more than 90 businesses.
Several of those businesses within the Justice corporate network were subject to the recent county auctions.
Five parcels under the name Jim Justice or James Justice were available in Raleigh and McDowell counties for an overall minimum price of $1,065.
Bellwood Corporation in Monroe County had 22 parcels at $28,558. Chestnut Land Company in McDowell had 20 parcels at $4,494. Justice Low Seam Mining in McDowell had 61 parcels at $12,046. Kirby Land Company in Raleigh County had 64 parcels at $46,563. Justice Enterprises in McDowell had 43 parcels at $8,332. Stretcher Neck Properties in Raleigh County had 9 parcels at $22,510.
Saddlebred Golf Course was up for auction in Raleigh County for $29,381 but reportedly did not sell.
Justice Holdings in Raleigh County had by far the largest number of tracts for auction, 427 with a minimum bids adding up to $185,436.
The Justice companies would have been informed that the taxes were overdue and that the tracts were in danger of being sold, and there are still opportunities ahead to reclaim the properties.
This is also not the first rodeo. Last year, almost a hundred lots in the name of James C. Justice sold at public auction for asking prices that added up to $75,000 because of delinquent property taxes in McDowell and Raleigh counties.
Delinquent tax issues mount over months, with multiple warnings.
Mid-July each year, county sheriffs send out tax tickets by mail. First half taxes are due Sept. 1 with a discount, and second half taxes on March 1. Overdue taxes are published in local newspapers in May. By the next September, legal ads are again published in newspapers and certified letter are sent to the delinquent taxpayer.
By the start of the second November on the timeline, the state Auditor’s Office receives a delinquent tax list that includes the delinquent year, plus the current year. By the second March, properties still in question are certified for public auction by the Auditor’s Office, and yet another classified advertisement is published.
Then, each summer, public auctions of delinquent properties occur in the counties.
State law provides for 120 days for a title search by the purchaser — including a requirement to notify anyone with a legal interest — and then at minimum 150 days before the Auditor’s Office can issue a deed. The property can be redeemed up until the deed is recorded in the County Clerk’s office.
“Nine months is about the average time from sale to issuance of deed, but it all depends on how long the title search and notification takes,” said Kallie Cart, deputy chief of staff for the West Virginia Auditor.
