Walsh: Child Support Lawsuit a Personal Issue

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 5, 2011 2:27PM

8th District Rep. Joe Walsh (center) at a "Cup 'O Joe With Joe" meeting in Lake Zurich in January. (Photo from the congressman's website.)

Congress is now in its August recess, which means representatives are now back in their home districts relaxing and/or holding town hall meetings. 8th District Rep. Joe Walsh received a hero's welcome during a town hall meeting last night in Wauconda.

Walsh used the meeting to explain his vote on the recent debt ceiling compromise, which he voted against. Say what you want, but right there is a man of principle. Walsh also addressed the lawsuit filed by his ex-wife Laura alleging he owes more than $100,000 in back child support. Declaring it a personal matter, Walsh vowed to fight the charges and took a swipe at the Sun-Times. “Virtually everything in that Sun-Times piece was wildly inaccurate," he said. “I will privately and legally do whatever I can to refute what was alleged about me and clear my name.” Probably a wise course of action for a congressman who hasn't met a camera he couldn't hog.

One audience member tried to press the issue with Walsh and was roundly booed for his efforts by the rest of the crowd. Others in the audience took Walsh to task on his vote on the debt deal, to which he replied, "Now is not the time for compromise. We weren't sent there to advance things with (President Obama).”