Nearly 60 candidates for Georgia's General Assembly have failed to pay their taxes on time, leading to more than $1 million in tax liens filed against them.

An investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that 56 legislative candidates have owned money to the local, state or federal government. Many of those bills have been paid, while other candidates still owe money.

The newspaper reports that the unpaid tax bills range from unpaid sewer or garbage-collection fees to six-figure balances spanning several years.

Jared Thomas, a spokesman for Secretary of State Brian Kemp, said several candidates have had their candidacies challenged because of tax debts. He suggested the issue reflects a poor economy.

Tags: Georgia General Assembly, liens, candidates, back taxes