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Bank files lawsuit to foreclose on Arkansas Lt. Governor’s home


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Lt. Governor elect Mark Darr
Lt. Governor elect Mark Darr
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Updated: 9/25/2012 5:10 pm Published: 9/25/2012 10:49 am
BENTON COUNTY, AR - Signature Bank of Arkansas has filed a lawsuit in Benton County Circuit Court to foreclose on Arkansas Lieutenant Governor Mark Darr's two-story home in Springdale, FOX16 has learned.

"We were behind on a payment because we purchased a new air conditioner to replace one for our renter in this property,” Darr said.

“Kim and I are certainly not wealthy individuals. Elected officials feel the hardships of this economy as well, and over the past 2 years we have certainly felt it. I'm no different than the majority of people who sometimes have more month left at the end of their money."

Full statement from Mark Darr

I was asked a question by a reporter at 4:59 yesterday (Wednesday 9.19.12) afternoon about a foreclosure on a home I own. At that late hour, it was impossible to handle this matter before the close of business and before what I was told was a 5:30 pm deadline by the reporter. It was certainly news to me & you won't hear this from me too often…. But thank God for this reporter.

I was however misquoted in the paper when I was asked if I was 4 months behind. The paper said I told them I hadn't missed any payments, but I actually told them I wasn't 4 months behind.

We were behind on a payment because we purchased a new air conditioner to replace one for our renter in this property but we were to be caught up by 10/01 based upon my statements. This would include any past due. So my records were different than the bank's.

I was told by the paper that Ms. Cung was the lawyer representing the bank in this matter. I have met Ms. Cung on several occasions in the past year as she was running for a judicial spot - a race in which I endorsed her opponent.

The paper was the only notice or contact that I've had regarding the foreclosure. When I drove through the drive through to make my payment a few weeks ago, I was not alerted by the employee that there was an issue or problem with my loan. I have had no contact from Signature Bank. I tried to call them yesterday and today & finally reached them. We have fixed the issue and hopefully it will be resolved by the end of business today or at the latest Monday.

After speaking with them they wanted to resolve this discretely… So please keep it between me, you and every paper in Arkansas.

Kim and I are certainly not wealthy individuals. Elected officials feel the hardships of this economy as well and over the past 2 years we have certainly felt it. I'm no different than the majority of people who sometimes have more month left at the end of their money.

Thank you to so many who have emailed, texted, inboxed and called to show your concern and support. It means the world to Kim and me.
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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of FOX16 - Breaking News and Weather to Plan Your Day for Little Rock and Central Arkansas

sickofthissht - 9/26/2012 1:46 PM
1 Vote
at least he didnt steal to get it caught up, at least i dont think he did. who knows

wpsark - 9/26/2012 1:35 PM
0 Votes
Mr. Darr, if you don't want to struggle financially, just run for Senate in DC..There you can get kick backs and all that other good stuff..

Mr Tom - 9/26/2012 12:17 PM
0 Votes
According to HIS records he was not 4 months behind. That doesn't mean that it wasn't 4 months behind according to the banks records.

Leatherneck - 9/26/2012 9:15 AM
0 Votes
Oh yet another one living beyond their means and lying about it. If the second in command for the State can't handle his finances any better than to allow one air conditioner unit to pt him behind on a house payment then why is he second in command. Seems to me this might be just one small piece of the puzzle that is causing financial issues within the state. Sorry but me buying an a/c isn't going to break me or cause me to miss a mortgage payment. So my suggestion to him is to go sit down, figure out what story you want to tell and then report back. Because no one believes this one. As for John L. Smith, he has always been a joke. He was when he was in Louisville and he is now. He can sit down with investors and bankers before the Arkansas/Kentucky game and work out a deal. No it won't be, "I'll Let you win" because they can't win anyway.

arkansashawk - 9/25/2012 4:58 PM
0 Votes
Don't worry, one of the rich Republicans will give him the money to get out of this mess. The Huckster can pay him out of all the money he got from the collection plates when he was a minister or from his pot of money made off his TV show.

CptKirksnipple - 9/25/2012 2:30 PM
1 Vote
Sounds like a fish got into his A/C unit and died, because his story sure smells fishy

itsjustme - 9/25/2012 1:56 PM
2 Votes
Yeah, they dont foreclose after just one month. He is speaking from the Beebe side of his mouth. I dont want John L. fired because he is broke, I want him fired because he is a joke.

LSSLSM - 9/25/2012 1:28 PM
2 Votes
Me, if I were to choose from either having my main home foreclosed on if I did not make the pymt, or buying central a/c - well - have been without central air for over 5 years, but I still have a roof over my head and I AM staying cool due to window units. Sounds like there is more to this story but leave it to a politician to explain and it sounds rather, shall we say - UnBeliEvable.

ArkMother - 9/25/2012 12:23 PM
1 Vote
Normally, banks don't forclose on a house that is 1 payment behind. I wonder which side of his mouth he is speaking from?

1gmama - 9/25/2012 11:53 AM
0 Votes
WOW, are we going to get rid of him for not paying his debt, just like we want to get rid of John Smith?
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