Civil suit filed against Wisconsin governor candidate Francesca Hong
MADISON, WIS. (CBS 58) — A Democratic candidate for governor is facing financial troubles. Court documents show a credit card company filed a lawsuit over roughly $30,000 in personal debt.
Francesca Hong's campaign sent out a statement saying the debt she owes in this lawsuit has been paid in full and that they will have a letter proving that shortly. Political experts say the lawsuit could have a negative impact on her campaign.
In a lawsuit filed May 26, Capital One claims Francesca Hong opened a credit card in September 2011. The lawsuit says she failed to make the minimum payments on her account and defaulted on the loan. The documents allege she owes the company nearly $30,000.
"When somebody sues somebody else, they usually don't want to sue them. They usually want to resolve the issue," Mordecai Lee, Ph.D., a Professor Emeritus at UWM, said.
Francesca Hong is currently leading in the polls as the frontrunner to become the Democratic nominee for governor. In a statement, her campaign said the following:
"Like 80% of Americans, Rep. Hong has debt, specifically from business expenses that rose astronomically during the pandemic. She leads from a place of knowing the endless struggles with bills and the stress that places on families every day. Her policies will help Wisconsin residents develop greater economic stability and success."
Hong's campaign says the debt was paid in full using personal funds, not campaign funds.
But a political expert we spoke with says the damage could already be done.
"It's really hard to chase a story. It's really hard to catch up to something that is perceived as negative," Lee said.
Hong responded online saying she's "An ordinary working Wisconsinite."
"I'm not ashamed to have made honest financial mistakes in pursuit of my dream of opening a restaurant," said Hong in an online video. "What I am ashamed of is a system that treats debt like a moral failing."
Court documents say that Ms. Hong has 20 days to respond, or there could be a lien placed on her property and assets.