By LIAM DURKIN
TRARALGON-born politician John Pesutto could soon be out of office, after failing to meet the deadline to pay legal fees against Liberal colleague Moira Deeming.
Mr Pesutto, who was leader of the state Liberals until late last December, missed the deadline to come up with $2.3 million to pay Ms Deeming after her successful defamation case.
Mr Pesutto secured $500,000 himself, while $200,000 was raised from an online crowdfunding campaign.
While the embattled MP was given financial support from the likes of former premiers Jeff Kennett, Denis Napthine and Ted Baillieu, only a third of the money has been raised.
Mr Pesutto had 21 days from Monday to pay his tick, or be plunked into bankruptcy and subsequently forced out of Parliament and lose his marginal seat of Hawthorn.
By law, anyone declared bankrupt cannot sit in Parliament.
The saga adds to a torrid time for the Liberals, who lost the federal election convincingly and saw the Coalition split momentarily after The Nationals opted out.
State deputy Liberal leader and former professional tennis player, Sam Groth was also in the spotlight last week, after reports emerged he borrowed a chauffeur-driven car to get home from the Australian Open.
Mr Groth played a number of ITF Futures events at Traralgon Tennis Association during his career.
Mr Pesutto grew up and went to school in Traralgon, and played soccer for Olympians and Traralgon City.
