The U.S. government on Monday sued Sen. Jim Justice , a West Virginia Republican , and his wife for more than $5 million in unpaid federal income taxes, penalties, and interest dating to the 2009 tax filing year.

"Despite notice and demand for payment of the assessments ...James C. Justice, II, and Cathy L. Justice have neglected or refused to make full payment of those assessments to the United States," the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Beckley, West Virginia, alleged.

The lawsuit, filed by the Tax Division of the Department of Justice, asks a judge to enter a judgment in favor of the U.S. against the couple in the amount of $5,164,739.75, the amount owed to the Internal Revenue Service as of Aug. 4, according to the filing.

Hours after the suit was docketed, a lawyer fo

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