ST. PAUL — Public records show Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Daudt has been sued by debt collectors three times in the past year over thousands of dollars in credit card charges.

Minnesota Public Radio News also found Daudt was late paying taxes on land he owns in Isanti County. Daudt issued a statement Monday saying he has struggled as a result of the recession, lost his job and faced credit card debt.

One of the debt cases was scheduled for a court hearing Monday, a day before the Legislature begins its election year session. MPR reports the two sides worked out a settlement. Daudt’s lawyer would not disclose details.

In the other two cases, default judgments were entered against Daudt. A short time later, a firm that lobbies at the Capitol urged a judge to wipe away the rulings.