The Justice Department announced a lawsuit Wednesday against West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s coal empire, seeking more than $5 million in unpaid civil penalties and fees. The companies, according to the Justice Department, repeatedly violated federal laws that oversee coal mine operations and failed to pay “uncontested” fines for those violations. The companies also ignored more than 50 orders to stop mining after violations were found to pose “health and safety risks” to workers or that threatened “environmental harm,” prosecutors say. Justice launched his US Senate campaign in West Virginia, setting up a potential challenge to Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin.

Source: CNN May 31, 2023 18:11 UTC