DOJ sues West Virginia governor's family coal companies over unpaid fines.

Thirteen coal companies owned by the family of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice are being sued by the federal government over unpaid penalties for previous mining law violations that pose health and safety risks or threaten environmental harm. The companies were cited for over 130 violations in the past five years, and the total amount of penalties, fees, interest, and administrative expenses owed is about $7.6 million. Justice, who is running for Democrat Joe Manchin’s U.S. Senate seat in 2024, accused the Biden administration of retaliation.