NC House leader hit with another $1 million complaint over farm debts

Rep. David Lewis, R-Harnett, has been sued twice in the last month over money that farming supply companies say he and his businesses owe.

Posted 9:32 p.m. Nov 29, 2019 — Updated 4:40 p.m. Dec 3, 2019

Travis Fain

, WRAL statehouse reporter

RALEIGH, N.C. — A powerful state lawmaker whose farm is struggling has been hit with a second $1-million-plus debt collection lawsuit.

John Deere Financial sued Rep. David Lewis, R-Harnett, one of the top Republican leaders in the House, and Lewis Farms Inc. late last week in Harnett County. The company seeks full payment on a series of loans that go back to 2014, possession of a half dozen pieces of farming equipment listed as collateral and an extra 15 percent in attorneys fees.

Attempts to reach Lewis, who used to be a John Deere dealer, weren't successful this week.

This is the second major debt collection filed this month against Lewis and his family farming businesses, with the first coming from an international agricultural supply company. At the time, Lewis said the suit surprised and that he'd been making payments.

Lewis also said he never saw an October collection letter the supply company referenced in its court filing. The John Deere complaint says that company sent a demand letter dated Oct. 24, "but defendants have failed and refused to pay."

The court filing runs through a series of financial arrangements, putting the largest single debt at $494,000 and the smallest at less than $300.

Lewis also borrowed $500,000 last year from a man later indicted and accused of trying to bribe another state official. The loan was secured with property, and Lewis said the man is friend and fellow farmer.

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