U.S. Representative Joe Walsh, who was elected largely on the issue fiscal responsibility, is being sued for $117,437 in unpaid child support. The child support enforcement action was filed by his ex-wife in December.

Walsh's ex-wife claims that the freshman congressman had repeatedly told her he was unable to make child support payments because he had been between jobs. However, it turns out that during the same period Walsh was able to take international vacations, and was able to make a personal loan of $35,000 to his political campaign.

Since he made the loan to his campaign, Walsh has repaid himself $14,200 -- but has yet to make a payment for the support of his three children.

Walsh, who was divorced eight years ago, claims that the press coverage of the child support enforcement lawsuit constitutes a bald political attack. As one of President Obama's most outspoken critics during the debt ceiling crisis, he finds the timing a little too convenient, considering the child support action was filed eight months ago.

Walsh has called himself the "tip of the spear" in the current debate in Congress and believes that is the reason allegations of his unpaid child support have surfaced now.

In a statement, Walsh said he has "always given everything I have to meet my financial obligations to my children," despite the evidence that he had money to spend on other things. He also disputes the amount of unpaid child support his ex-wife has claimed.

Walsh's campaign was also marked by allegations of financial mismanagement. His campaign manager quit and sued Walsh for unpaid wages to the tune of $20,000. A Republican fundraiser has accused Walsh of bouncing checks.

Source: Huffington Post, "Joe Walsh Sued For More Than $100,000 In Child Support," July 28, 2011