8th Cong. candidate sued by former campaign manager

A suburban congressional candidate has been sued by his former campaign manager, who accuses him of not paying him $20,000 for his services, court records indicate.

Joe Walsh, a Republican candidate in the 8th congressional district, breached a contract with former campaign manager Keith Liscio, the lawsuit alleges.

The suit was filed Thursday in Cook County circuit court. Patrickson-Hirsch Associates, Liscio's Morton Grove consulting firm, is the plaintiff.

Although he initially declined to comment on the lawsuit, Walsh issued a statement Friday in which he said he was "saddened" by the timing of the lawsuit.

"It's one thing to file a suit, it's quite another to file a suit and then try the lawsuit in the media," Walsh said in the e-mailed statement. "I won't stand for it. The campaign has already paid this vendor $15,000 and the remainder is in dispute. Our lawyers are reviewing the lawsuit and will defend it."

Liscio did not have a written contract with Walsh to be his campaign manager, said Jim Thacker, who joined the Walsh campaign after Liscio quit in December over the financial dispute.

Liscio confirmed the lack of a written contract but said he expected Walsh to honor his obligations.

Walsh, of Winnetka, is one of six Republicans seeking the GOP nomination in the 8th district, which includes parts of Cook, Lake and McHenry counties. The others are: Dirk Beveridge of Barrington; John Dawson of Barrington; Chris Geissler of Barrington; Greg Jacobs of Mundelein; and Maria Rodriguez of Long Grove.

Three-term incumbent Melissa Bean is seeking re-election and will be the only Democrat on Feb. 2 primary ballots. Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer also will be on the ballot.