by Alison Storm | 07/9/10

According to reports, a DC Council member, running for the council's top job that would put him in control of the area's budget is in serious credit card debt. Kwame Brown announced that he has three maxed out credit cards with debt totally $50,000. Brown says he's now on the right path towards paying off his debt and that he and his wife are on a strict budget. "It's unfortunate," he told the Washington Post. "These are tough times for a lot of families and we're no exception."

Reporters obtained documents that back up the claims, indicating Brown owes more than $50,000 in overdue credit card payments, late fees and attorney costs. Documents obtained by NBC News4 in Washington show that the councilman owes American Express more than $8,000, Visa more than $25,000 and a second Visa card more than $22,000. So how did the elected official rack up $50,000 in credit card debt? Brown claims that it happened over several years, using credit cards to pay for things like violin lessons and childcare. "It just trickles and trickles," he told reporters. "It is what is and we're moving forward as a family."

Brown says his personal financial crises will not impact his professional position. Brown recently worked with the council to close a $550 million budget gap for the upcoming fiscal year, according to the Washington Post. "Professionally, I have always worked hard to look at how we spend our money and to find ways to save money," Brown told the Washington Post. It's not clear how Brown's personal debt will impact his election. Some voters will likely fear that his personal problems indicate an inability to handle government money, while others will be able to separate the two.