SAN DIEGO — According to KGTV News; a political consultant is suing Chula Vista Mayor Steve Padilla, saying the elected official owes him more than $10,000 from the 2002 mayoral election, it was reported Wednesday.

Larry Remer, who worked on Padilla’s first campaign for mayor, filed two lawsuits last week in which he contends Padilla owes him $10,483 for graphics, printing of political literature and consulting services, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

“There were some payments made after the campaign, but then he stopped making an effort to pay off the debt,” Remer told the newspaper. “That was at least two years ago. I just got frustrated waiting.”

Padilla has said he was withholding payment because the debt was in dispute.

“I’m glad he’s finally asking for what he’s entitled to,” the mayor told the Union-Tribune. “Now that I’m leaving office, I’ll probably settle with him.”

Padilla lost his position in the Nov. 7 runoff to Cheryl Cox, a trustee of the Chula Vista Elementary School District. During her campaign, Cox cited Padilla’s financial problems as evidence that he was not fit to be mayor.

Padilla took 10 pay advances on his mayoral salary last year. During the past three years, he made some significant purchases that added to his financial burden: a $538,500 house on the city’s east side and a new BMW M3 vehicle, according to the Union-Tribune.