CHARLESTON — Gov. Jim Justice dismissed a video making the rounds on social media showing party goers flouting social distancing and mask rules at a New Year’s Eve event held at the Justice-owned Greenbrier Resort, calling it a political attack.

Justice was asked about the video Monday by reporters during his coronavirus briefing at the State Capitol Building.

“Let’s just call it what it is … the bottom line of the whole thing is it’s just a hit at me from the standpoint of a political hit at me,” Justice said.

The 14-second video pans around the upper lobby of the historic Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, showing a New Year’s Eve celebration. The lobby was filled with people not maintaining 6 feet of social distancing and some party goers not wearing masks as required indoors.

Justice said he found out about the video the same way most of the public did: through social media and news reports. Justice lives in nearby Lewisburg and said he watched the ball drop in Times Square in New York City via TV from the comfort of his bed and went to sleep New Year’s Eve.

Justice lashed out at Democratic lawmakers who shared the video on social media – alluding to Senate Minority Leader Stephen Baldwin, D-Greenbrier, and state Sen. Bill Ihlenfeld, D-Ohio. Ihlenfeld shared the video on Twitter, criticizing Justice for pushing back the start of winter high school sports until March 1 while adults at the Greenbrier were free to flout the rules.

“Partygoers rang in the new year last night at Governor Justice’s resort, with COVID protocols apparently optional,” Ihlenfeld said. “Meanwhile, the Governor won’t let high school sports begin until March 1. Kids continue to sacrifice while adults celebrate.”

“This was primarily driven by Democrat senators,” Justice said. “It’s just a slap at an employer who is employing 1,500 people with great jobs there.”

The Greenbrier Resort has a public COVID-19 response plan posted on its website, which calls on guests to maintain social distancing, reviews of seating and floor plans to maintain social distancing, and signage reminding guests about social distancing. According to the West Virginia Strong guidance documents for safely operating businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, hotels can still hold events, but are supposed to develop plans to keep attendees social distanced.

Since July, businesses and public buildings are required to enforce an indoor mask executive order issued by Justice. That order was expanded last fall to require masks indoors, including when an individual can socially distance from others.

Justice said that despite the what the video shows, the Greenbrier is following all state and Centers for Disease Control requirements and recommendations for preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

“I can promise you to God above that the Greenbrier is absolutely following every protocol that you can possibly follow,” Justice said. “If the Greenbrier is doing something they’re not supposed to do, then absolutely they will have me on them like stink on you-know-what.”

Jim Justice bought the Greenbrier Resort in 2009 from rail company CSX. Since Justice first took office in 2017, Jill Justice – the governor’s daughter – runs the Greenbrier Resort while Justice serves as the state’s chief executive, though Justice is still listed as CEO. According to the Governor’s 2020 financial disclosure report, First Lady Cathy Justice is operations advisor at the resort.

Out of the 116 companies listed on Justice’s most recent financial disclosure form with the West Virginia Ethics Commission, only seven businesses were placed in blind trusts – including the Glade Springs Resort in Raleigh County and the Wintergreen Resort in neighboring Virginia. Jay Justice, the Governor’s son, manages the remainder of Justice’s businesses.