Sen. Jim Justice agrees to pay $5 million in back taxes after lawsuit from DOJ

The West Virginia senator agreed to pay the amount shortly after the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against him and his wife over unpaid taxes from 2009.

Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., agreed Monday to pay more than $5 million in back taxes after the Justice Department sued him over unpaid funds from more than 15 years ago.

The suit, filed Monday in the Southern District of West Virginia, said Justice and his wife had been contacted by the Treasury Department and were given notice of their 2009 debt but “have neglected or refused to make full payment of those assessments to the United States.”

The suit asked that the former billionaire and his wife pay the amount owed and any relief the court “deems just and proper.”

A filing later Monday said the Justice Department and the Justices had settled, with the couple agreeing to pay the full amount owed. A judge still needs to sign off on the agreement.

Justice's congressional office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday night.