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TRT Holdings pushes back on amended Justice family Greenbrier Resort complaint

The historic Omni Homestead Resort and Spa in Hot Springs, Va., 40 miles from the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs. (Photo courtesy/Omni Hotels and Resorts)

CHARLESTON – The Texas-based hotel company that purchased the remaining loan debt owed by U.S. Sen. Jim Justice’s Greenbrier Resort in April had some things to say following the filing of an amended complaint by the Justice family accusing the company of a hostile takeover.

A statement released by TRT Holdings Thursday denied the allegations made by attorneys for the Justice family in an amended filing Wednesday in Greenbrier County Circuit Court. TRT Holdings is the parent company of Omni Hotels and Resorts and White Sulphur Springs Holdings LLC.

“The allegations are false and attempt to deflect from a straightforward issue: the failure to repay outstanding debt,” the statement said.

In the amended filing, attorneys for the Justice family alleged that TRT Holdings and its president, Blake Rowling, purchased second lien Greenbrier debt in 2024 based on comments in the Dallas Morning News six days ago, prohibiting TRT from purchasing any additional Greenbrier debt without written consent. TRT Holdings disputes that assertion.

“Any claim that (WSSH) was not legally allowed to purchase the debt is without merit,” according to the statement. “The facts are clear and well documented. The acquisition was conducted in full compliance with all applicable laws and agreements, and WSSH and its affiliates have met all obligations under the debt agreements.”

TRT Holdings purchased more than $300 million in remaining loan debts previously held by Carter Bank in a sale earlier in April. Not long after purchasing the debt, WSSH filed a lawsuit against Jim Justice, former first lady Cathy Justice, their son Jay Justice, the Greenbrier Hotel Corp. and other Justice-owned companies affiliated with the Greenbrier.

WSSH and TRT Holdings are asking a federal judge to appoint a receiver for the Greenbrier Resort and miscellaneous properties, as well as seeking a permanent injunction against the Justice family to prevent further interference in the Greenbrier’s operations. The Justice family filed their countersuit in Greenbrier County Circuit Court not long after the federal lawsuit was filed.

The Justice family fought with the Greenbrier’s previous loan holder, Carter Bank, in 2021 and 2024 over failure to pay on loan debt and other breaches of contract. Justice and his family had settled with Carter Bank for a second time in the summer of 2024 after the bank filed 21 confessed judgments since April 2023 against the Justices and multiple Justice-owned companies, seeking more than $301 million plus interest and attorney fees.

“The Justice entities have repeatedly failed to comply with all terms and conditions of the prevailing agreements, as evidenced by the existence of 14 Amended Forbearance agreements,” according to the TRT statement. “That reflects fourteen instances over the last few years in which the debt was not paid when due. The debt is due and payable, and additional extensions are not warranted.”

The Justice family has claimed in legal filings that attempts to pay off the remainder of the previous Carter Bank loan debt were rebuffed, accusing Carter and TRT Holdings of conspiring to acquire the Greenbrier in a hostile takeover. According to the company, TRT Holdings sent wire instructions to the Justice family to send a full payment.

“Within the last 30 days WSSH has sent wire instructions to settle the debt, and the Justice entities have failed to remit payment,” according to the statement. “It is time for Senator Justice to pay his debt or place The Greenbrier into the hands of someone with a long track record of caring for iconic resorts and the communities they support.”

TRT Holdings, through Omni Hotels, operates more than 50 hotels and luxury properties, including the historic Omni Homestead Resort and Spa in Hot Springs, Va., 40 miles away from the Greenbrier. The Justice family accused TRT Holdings in its amended court filing of planning to replace Greenbrier employees with employees of the Omni Homestead Resort, a claim TRT Holdings denies.

“TRT Holdings and its affiliates have a long-standing history of honoring financial commitments to its employees and partners,” according to the statement. “Assertions regarding potential harm or loss of jobs to employees at The Greenbrier are completely false.

“Should WSSH or Omni Hotels Corporation become involved in the operation of the hotel, they would be fully committed to the employees, vendor community and all stakeholders in The Greenbrier Resort, including fair treatment, competitive compensation and benefits, and honoring all obligations including contributions to employee benefit funds,” the statement continued.

Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.com.

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