Tea party Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) has a message for those who have been critical of him failing to pay child support: Don’t blame me, blame my ex-wife.

According to the Chicago Sun Times, the Illinois congressman said him and his former spouse Laura Walsh had ‘a verbal agreement’ that he didn’t have to pay any child support.

“He reasonably relied on Laura’s representations and conduct, to his detriment,” Walsh’s lawyer said in a court filing. “Joe and his former wife were both tired of court appearances and the resulting emotional and financial impact on the family. Neither party had the financial or emotional wherewithal to continue the battle.”

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Congressman Walsh’s office added: “By blatantly and knowingly submitting false information in her pleading Laura Walsh and her attorney’s not only broke Illinois state law, but it is clear that the only point in submitting these allegations was an attempt to tarnish the Congressman’s reputation.”

Laura Walsh’s attorney Jack Coladarci denied the congressman’s statements, saying that they have been working on this after she noticed her ex-husband lent $34,000 to his campaign.

“Last year, when she came to us, nobody thought he was going to win that race,” Coladarci said. “This wasn’t going after a congressman — it was about a guy who had enough money to donate to his campaign.”

Rep. Walsh and Laura Walsh divorced in 2002 and have one nine-year old son.

(Photo credit: Gage Skidmore)