Coal billionaire sells most of Ky. farm

HARRODSBURG, Ky. (AP) — West Virginia coal billionaire Jim Justice has sold most of a farm he purchased in central Kentucky.

The Advocate-Messenger (http://bit.ly/1opQf8c) cited deeds on file in the Mercer County Clerk’s office that showed about 4,700 acres were sold on Sept. 18 to a family in Texas for roughly $26 million.

Justice purchased 5,500 acres three years ago at auction for $25 million.

Justice told the newspaper that the farm was a satellite operation, and the logistics of moving people and equipment became too much.

Justice says a $1.5 million settlement with Kentucky officials over violations at several of his coal mines in the eastern part of the state had nothing to do with his decision to sell the farm.

He said it just wasn’t a good fit with his other operations.

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Information from: The (Danville, Ky.) Advocate-Messenger, http://www.centralkynews.com/amnews

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