Ken Ward Jr.
ProPublica Distinguished Fellow
The Billionaire Governor Who’s Been Sued Dozens of Times for Millions in Unpaid Bills
Gov. Jim Justice is West Virginia’s richest man. Over the last three decades, lawsuits over unpaid bills have cost his constellation of companies more than $128 million in judgments and settlements.
See Who’s Taken Gov. Jim Justice to Court Over Unpaid Bills
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a billionaire and the state’s richest man, has a long list of debt-collection cases. In the most complete analysis of his legal record to date, ProPublica found dozens totaling more than $128 million.
This Governor Still Guides His Billion-Dollar Business Empire, Even Though He Said He Wouldn’t
Jim Justice promised West Virginians he would focus on public service, and not his businesses, once he was elected. But he’s frequently used his power as governor to promote his own corporate entities while running the state.
Lawmakers Call for Ethics Reform to Deal With Billionaire Resort-Owning Governor
West Virginia legislators want Gov. Jim Justice to put The Greenbrier in a blind trust after a Charleston Gazette-Mail and ProPublica investigation. But the governor dismisses the report as “garbage.”
Welcome to the Greenbrier, the Governor-Owned Luxury Resort Filled With Conflicts of Interest
Gov. Jim Justice is West Virginia’s richest man and owns its most storied resort. When lobbyists and state agencies book there, he profits. Here’s how the governor, dubbed “Big Jim,” became West Virginia’s little Trump.
Fracking Companies Lost on Trespassing, but a Court Just Gave Them a Different Win
As conflicts continue between West Virginians and the state’s natural gas industry, complex legal cases are helping some residents, but not others.
Court to Big Fracking Company: Trespassing Still Exists — Even For You
In a key property rights decision, two West Virginia residents scored a rare victory from the state Supreme Court.
Large Natural Gas Producer to Pay West Virginia Plaintiffs $53.5 Million to Settle Royalty Dispute
As our investigation detailed, EQT Corp. had been accused of deducting a variety of unacceptable charges from natural gas royalty checks. The company says it wants to “turn over a new leaf” in its relationship with the state’s residents.
Powerless: What It Looks and Sounds Like When a Gas Driller Overruns Your Land
The gas rush is upending communities with traffic and noise, reshaping the way the state looks and sounds. Residents are often powerless to stop it.
He is West Virginia’s Speaker of the House — and a Lawyer for Natural Gas Companies
State ethics rules seldom prevent lawmakers from proposing or voting on legislation that affects industries they work for.
Century-Old West Virginia Leases Yield Paltry Gas Royalties. A Suit Could Cut Others’ Payouts to a Trickle, Too.
Energy giant EQT is challenging a 36-year-old law that gives residents a bigger share of natural gas profits at a time when the industry is flourishing.
West Virginia’s Natural Gas Industry Keeps Pushing to Whittle Away Payments to Residents
Companies are deducting “post-production” costs or creating shell companies to reduce royalty payments. The firms say they have done nothing wrong.
“Jobs Alliance” Backed by Coal Giant Loses Bid To Stop West Virginia Natural Gas Plant
A group backed by Murray Energy has tried to block gas plants in West Virginia. The state Supreme Court rejected arguments against one plant, saying it will help the local economy.
Another West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Declines to Step Aside in Another Natural Gas Case
A lawyer who represented new Supreme Court Justice Evan Jenkins is on the legal team representing the natural gas giant Antero. The opposing side asked Jenkins to recuse himself, but he said no.
Another Court Ruling Against a West Virginia Pipeline, Then Another Effort to Change the Rules
A federal appeals court has revoked a key approval of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Now, state regulators are working to change the rules — again — so it can proceed.
“Jobs Alliance,” Funded by Trump Backer, Tries to Block Gas Plants That Would Bring Jobs to West Virginia
Murray Energy, one of the nation’s largest coal producers, is paying for lawyers trying to block natural gas plants that would support a growing industry.
Natural Gas Industry Again Beats a Tiny West Virginia County That Wanted to Control Its Destiny
A federal judge ruled that Fayette County must allow a natural gas compressor station, saying the federal Natural Gas Act takes precedence over local zoning rules.
How One West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Gave Natural Gas a Big Victory and Shortchanged Residents
Justice Beth Walker voted to reopen an already decided case around the time her husband owned stock in a variety of energy companies. And that’s not even why she’s been impeached.
What Happens When a Pipeline Runs Afoul of Government Rules? Authorities Change the Rules.
Federal authorities halted work on the massive Mountain Valley Pipeline this month after an appeals court ruled that federal agencies neglected to follow environmental protections.
West Virginia Paid for a CEO to Go on a Trade Delegation to China. Turns Out, He Was Promoting His Company’s Interests, Too.
An executive accompanied state officials to China for a ceremony with President Donald Trump to sign a landmark deal last year. He also pushed his company’s interests, which the governor said Friday was not acceptable.
