Bank of America to Garnish Congressman Emanuel Cleaver's Wages

Even legislators can run into trouble with creditors.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) and his wife, Dianne, fell behind on loan payments to Bank of America (BAC). Now the Cleavers will have a portion of their wages garnished to go toward the $1.3 million they owe, according to a Jackson County court order issued Tuesday. The news was first reported by The Kansas City Star.

The Cleavers initially borrowed $746,000 loan in 2002 to buy a car wash business in Grandview, Mo., according to court records and the City Star. They now owe almost twice that amount because of accrued interest, late fees, attorneys' fees, cost of collection and other reimbursable expenses, according to a court judgment.

The House of Representatives and Dianne Cleaver's employer, Urban Neighborhood Initiative, first received orders to withhold portions of the Cleavers' salaries in July.

Rep. Cleaver's office did not immediately return a request for comment.

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