Sen. Jim Justice failed to properly submit an annual report detailing his billion-dollar personal fortune, blowing past a legal deadline despite requesting and receiving two extensions, The Washington Sun found.
Justice filed his annual financial disclosure on Tuesday, about a month past an Aug. 13 deadline mandated by the Ethics in Government Act.
The West Virginia Republican is the richest man in the Senate, with assets of about $1 billion — and possibly much more — mostly owed to his coal-mining enterprises. Justice regularly flies back and forth from Washington via private jet.
Senators, including Justice, are required by law to annually disclose their assets, liabilities and sources of income. Lawmakers need only disclose their assets’ value in ranges, and Justice’s disclosure includes over a dozen line items valued at “over $50,000,000,” making it impossible to nail down his exact net worth.
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Justice’s office did not return a request for comment.
Justice’s tardy report, which covers financial activity during 2025, is similar to his previous annual disclosure from 2024: Justice continues to be extremely wealthy and maintains his various mining and energy assets as well as a surgery center and a golf and tennis club.
One line item from his earlier filing labeled “Blind Trust of James C Justice, II” that was valued at “over $50,000,000” isn’t included in Justice’s latest disclosure.
Justice’s latest report indicates his liabilities have grown by as little as $25.8 million and as much as $120 million during the past year.
Lexon Insurance Company sued Justice over “unpaid premiums and collateral owed on surety bonds” related to his coal mining businesses. The company was granted nearly $30 million in damages late last year.
Justice’s potential penalty for improperly disclosing his personal finances is decidedly more manageable: He faces a $200 fine, which the Senate Ethics Committee can choose to waive. The committee did not respond to a request for comment.
Justice joins an ever-growing list of federal lawmakers who’ve violated the Ethics in Government Act or the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act by failing to properly disclose their personal finances.
Since last summer, violators in the House include Reps. Gil Cisneros (D-California), Michael Rulli (R-Ohio), Shri Thanedar (D-Michigan), Tracey Mann (R-Kansas), Julie Johnson (D-Texas), Linda Sánchez (D-California), Julia Letlow (R-Louisiana), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Lisa McClain (R-Michigan), Pat Ryan (D-New York), Sheri Biggs (R-South Carolina), Derek Tran (D-California), Donald Norcross (D-New Jersey), Tim Walberg (R-Michigan), Rich McCormick (R-Georgia), Ritchie Torres (D-New York), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Dan Meuser (R-Pennsylvania), Jonathan Jackson (D-Illinois), George Whitesides (D-California), Val Hoyle (D-Oregon), Austin Scott (R-Georgia), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Florida), Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington), Kelly Morrison (D-Minnesota), Christian Menefee (D-Texas), Daniel Webster (R-Florida), Ed Case (D-Hawaii), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Laurel Lee (R-Florida) and Scott Franklin (R-Florida). Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Oklahoma) was also late, although his office denies it.
Senators who’ve violated the STOCK Act during the past year include Sens. Alan Armstrong (R-Oklahoma), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) and John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania).
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