Newly appointed Idaho lawmaker filed for bankruptcy in March

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — A newly appointed state senator in eastern Idaho is in the middle of bankruptcy proceedings.

The Post Register reports that Republican Sen. Tonny Potts of Idaho Falls filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in March. According to his bankruptcy filing, Potts has roughly $250,000 in debts, including $16,000 in unpaid taxes.

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter appointed Potts as state senator in October after former Sen. Bart Davis, who also served as the Senate’s majority leader, retired to become U.S. Attorney for Idaho.

Potts says he filed for bankruptcy after struggling to manage an unsuccessful pizza business, adding that he had to dip into his personal finances to cover payroll expenses.

Potts is currently working as a salesman at an RV dealership and as a property manager for 80 residential units.