HUNTINGTON – Democratic gubernatorial nominee Steve Williams has asked opponent and current Attorney General Patrick Morrisey to launch a formal investigation into the financial issues surrounding The Greenbrier and Gov. Jim Justice.
Williams issued a statement last week questioning the lack of a probe into Justice’s companies’ failure to remit $3.5 million in sales taxes collected at The Greenbrier resort to the state as required by law, the failure to pay $2.4 million in health care premiums for workers at The Greenbrier – including the portion withheld from employees’ paychecks for their coverage – and the failure to pay back a $36 million loan under the pandemic relief CARES Act.
“Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has repeatedly claimed that ‘fighting fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption’ has been a top priority since he took office,” Williams, who currently is mayor of Huntington, said in his August 22 press release. “Yet, we now face the shocking revelation that the governor’s business interests have apparently diverted funds—collected from employees and patrons through health insurance contributions and sales tax revenue — away from their intended purposes.
“This is a serious issue that not only violates the law but also betrays the public trust.”
Williams noted The Greenbrier’s actions amount to misuse of money that doesn’t belong to the company.
“The governor’s business is in essence, using funds that should go to the state and their employees’ health insurance plan, as well as taxpayers dollars made available through the CARES Act, and that’s wrong,” Williams said. “The people of West Virginia deserve better.”
John Mangalonzo, spokesman for the AG’s office, note the office has little authority to conduct such matters.
“Our office historically does not comment on potential investigative matters based on media reports,” Mangalonzo told The West Virginia Record. “Furthermore, in West Virginia, the attorney general has very limited authority to independently bring legal action under the purview of other state agencies unless the authority is delegated to the AG’s office by the Legislature, governor or relevant agency.”
Williams and Morrisey face off in the November 5 general election to fill the seat being vacated by Justice, a Republican who has served the maximum two four-year terms in office. He now seeks the U.S. Senate being vacated by retiring Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) against Democrat Glenn Elliott, who is mayor of Wheeling.
Williams urged Morrisey to “demonstrate his commitment to holding all public officials accountable, regardless of their office or political affiliation.”
“If fighting corruption is truly a priority for our Attorney General, then he must act swiftly to investigate these claims,” Williams said in his press release. “West Virginians deserve transparency and accountability from those who hold the highest offices in our state.”
In his statement, Williams said he remains committed to ensuring that West Virginia’s government serves the people “honestly and justly. As governor, Williams said he “pledges to hold all public officials accountable and to restore faith in the state’s leadership.”
In addition to Williams and Morrisey, other candidates running for governor are Chase Linko-Looper of the Mountain Party, Erika Kolenich of the Libertarian Party and S. Marshall Wilson of the Constitution Party.
