W.Va. governor's companies get millions in virus loans
Source: Associated Press
Anthony Izaguirre, Associated Press
Updated 4:24 pm CDT, Monday, July 6, 2020
Billionaire West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice's family businesses received at least $11.1 million from a federal rescue package meant to keep small businesses afloat during the coronavirus pandemic, according to data released by the Treasury Department on Monday.
Justice, a Republican, is considered to be West Virginia's richest man through ownership of dozens of coal and agricultural businesses, many of which have been sued for unpaid debts.
At least six Justice family entities received the Paycheck Protection Program loans, including the governor's lavish resort The Greenbrier, as well as The Greenbrier Sporting Club, an exclusive members-only club linked to the resort, according to the data. Those six businesses were listed as collecting between $11.1 million and $24.3 million because the federal government disclosed the dollar figures in ranges, not specific amounts.
The aid package is the centerpiece of the federal governments plan to rescue an economy devastated by shutdowns and uncertainty, with the data released Monday presenting the fullest accounting of the program thus far.
Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/article/W-Va-governor-s-companies-get-millions-in-virus-15389033.php