Kirk, a five-term congressman, accused Democrat Alexi Giannoulias on Monday of engaging in the “reckless lending that brought our U.S. economy to its knees.”

“I think there’s no question that Alexi Giannoulias bears direct personal responsibility for reckless loans that could bankrupt the Broadway Bank,” Kirk said of the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee. “I also worry that the possible collapse of the Broadway Bank will leave taxpayers left paying for Alexi’s reckless loans.”

Kirk says, “it’s one thing to issue a loan to someone and say in the first year the recipient repaid the loan. But in the case of Michael “Jaws” Giorango, the recipient failed to pay the loan. And it’s loans like that are imperiling the Broadway bank, made under Alexi Giannoulias’ signature when he was an officer of the bank.”

KIRK: “I think there’s no question that Alexi Giannoulias bears direct, personal responsibility for reckless loans that could bankrupt the Broadway Bank.”