Graves, bank settle out of court

photo U.S. Rep. Tom Graves.

The lawsuit against U.S. Rep. Tom Graves over a failed motel in Calhoun has been dismissed after the two parties reached a settlement out of court.

Gordon County court officials said attorneys representing Bartow County Bank and Graves filed a joint dismissal minutes before 5 p.m. Wednesday. Both parties agreed to throw out the case "without prejudice of claims."

Graves and state Sen. Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, were scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning for a summary judgment hearing in a lawsuit alleging the two lawmakers had defaulted on a loan to the bank.

Edward Hine, the attorney for the bank declined to comment, but confirmed the dismissal.

Graves and his staff had been tight lipped about the case, but in a statement the lawmaker said he was pleased.

"All parties have been committed to finding a positive solution and I am pleased to share that our common goal has been achieved. I am happy this matter is fully resolved in an equitable and fair manner," he said.

Being dismissed without prejudice leaves the door open for the bank to bring the case back up if more evidence is discovered.

No one brought up the hearing at Graves' recent events in Catoosa County, but after a GOP meeting he said there was no new information.

Pickens County resident Nancy Kennell said she asked the Congressman about the loan issues at an ice cream social Tuesday.

"He kept eating his ice cream and asked me 'Do you believe everything you read?'" she said in a phone interview Wednesday.

More in tomorrow's edition of the Times Free Press.

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