An attorney for Justice and his wife, Cathy, entered into a joint motion for consent judgment with the federal government Monday, the same day that the government filed a lawsuit saying that the couple "have neglected or refused to make full payment" for the income taxes dating to 2009. An attorney for the U.S. Justice Department's tax division signed off on the agreement.
In 2009, the senator sold Bluestone Coal Corporation his family business to a Russian company called Mechel for approximately $436 million in cash. Six years later, Mechel sold it back to Justice for 99% less than what he had sold it for. Despite this incredible turn of events, a Forbes report published in January said Justice's net worth is less than zero because his finances are severely troubled thanks to mountains of debt.