Thomas Chalifoux Jr., who was a candidate for state House district 79 in the primary Tuesday but lost, on Monday filed a lawsuit in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court against Mike Horner, the incumbent in the House race, alleging libel and defamation.

Chalifoux alleges that Horner has used a political “shadow group” for intentional defamation of character.

According to Chalifoux, the Horner campaign and Truth Matters Inc., an election fundraising committee referred to as a 527 that is based in Tallahassee and funded by special interests, sent out a mailer accusing Chalifoux of defaulting on a $200,000 mortgage and being foreclosed upon.

According to Chalifoux, the records show that he held a lien on the property and was only notified as an interested party about the default. Chalifoux said he was neither the owner nor the debtor in the case.

In the lawsuit Chalifoux is asking for compensatory damages for the libel and defamation.

Horner said he did not authorize the campaign material sent out by Truth Matters Inc.