Deal faces financial woes, files amended disclosure forms

ATLANTA – GOP gubernatorial candidate Nathan Deal faces financial woes, according to published reports, throwing a new wrinkle into this year’s election.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday reported that Deal, along with his wife, invested $2 million in a sporting goods store their daughter and her husband owned. The Northeast Georgia store has since closed, according to the newspaper.

“I’m not about to file for bankruptcy,” the newspaper quoted Deal as saying on Wednesday.

“So it just did not succeed but we have assets,” WALB-TV quoted Deal as saying Thursday in Thomasville. “We have the building the facility was in that’s for sale and we have other assets so we’re going to be fine in that regard. It’s like a lot of people though. We’ve taken a hit and many Georgians have done the same thing. These are tough economic times.”

The Associated Press on Thursday reported that Deal “did not disclose (on state disclosure forms) two active loans on which he and his business partner owe a combined $2.85 million.” Deal told the news service he didn’t disclose the loans because of an “oversight” and that amended forms have since been filed.

Deal faces Democrat Roy Barnes and Libertarian John Monds in November’s general election.