CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Friday acknowledged a major change in control at The Greenbrier, the state’s most storied resort, as a New York‑based private credit firm takes majority ownership following years of financial strain, legal battles, and escalating tax liens tied to former Gov. Jim Justice and his family.
Kennedy Lewis Investment Management, a firm known for investing in distressed debt, now holds the controlling interest in The Greenbrier after closing a refinancing deal of roughly $500 million — a transaction that reshapes the future of the historic property and ends months of uncertainty over who would ultimately control the resort.
Morrisey said he welcomed the firm to West Virginia and vowed to safeguard the resort’s workforce during the transition.
“I will do everything in my power to protect this historic West Virginia jewel and its employees,” Morrisey said in a statement. He added that he has directed the West Virginia Lottery Commission to “take all necessary steps to prevent the loss of Greenbrier employees during this transition of ownership.”
A Resort Long Shadowed by Debt and Legal Turmoil
The Greenbrier, purchased out of bankruptcy by Justice in 2009, has for years been entangled in mounting financial obligations. Public records show the resort and related entities have faced millions in past‑due loans, delinquent interest, and a growing list of tax liens.
In recent months, the Internal Revenue Service filed more than $8 million in payroll‑tax liens against the hotel and its clinic, citing unpaid federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare withholdings. Earlier filings added another $3.5 million in federal liens, compounding the resort’s financial strain.
The Justice family has also been battling Omni Hotels & Resorts, whose affiliate purchased roughly $300 million in first‑lien debt on the property. Omni sought to place the resort under receivership, alleging waste, fraud, and mismanagement — a move Justice’s attorneys fought aggressively in court.
The refinancing deal with Kennedy Lewis was structured to pay off the Omni‑held debt and stabilize the resort’s finances. But the ownership shift triggered regulatory scrutiny, particularly over the Greenbrier’s casino license, which must be approved by the West Virginia Lottery Commission. Regulators raised concerns about late‑submitted documents and unresolved financial questions tied to Justice‑owned entities.
Morrisey’s Message to Greenbrier County
With Kennedy Lewis now officially in control, Morrisey said he hopes the new owners will “restore the beauty of the resort to its former glory” and maintain stability for the hundreds of employees who rely on the Greenbrier for their livelihoods.
The governor’s statement comes at a pivotal moment for the region, where the resort remains a major economic anchor — even as its former owners continue to face federal and state tax liabilities and ongoing legal fallout.
