A Democratic candidate for the DuPage County Board said his former campaign manager is trying to “extort” money from him by seeking reimbursement for alcohol purchases, and the two now are threatening legal action against one another over public statements made in the wake of the campaign manager’s firing last month.

Rifat Sivisoglu, of Elmhurst, was sued by Jeff Houston for $1,400 of out-of-pocket campaign expenses, which Sivisoglu said included alcohol for personal use. But Houston denied the allegation and said the candidate is trying to get out of paying his debts.

“He’s trying to extort money from me,” Sivisoglu said.

Sivisoglu, who is running in the 1st District, fired Houston Sept. 11 after he did not show up for a campaign event. He said he would not reimburse Houston for the expenses because the former campaign manager failed to properly document the expenses.

Houston denied asking to be reimbursed for alcohol. He said he submitted a grocery store receipt that listed a bottle of wine, among other personal items, but only asked to be paid back for bags of ice he purchased for a campaign event.

“This whole alcohol thing is a bunch of crap,” Houston said. “He’s trying to be a deadbeat. I can’t understand why he hasn’t just written a check and let’s move on.”

Both men described a combative relationship that began this summer after Houston joined the campaign. They clashed numerous times over a variety of campaign-related issues.

Sivisoglu said the campaign manager regularly yelled at volunteers and contributors. He said he once had to wrestle a phone away from Houston because he was berating a volunteer and contributor.

“He burned just about every bridge,” Sivisoglu said, adding that Houston was previously asked to leave a volunteer position with the county Democratic Party because of similar issues.

“He has some very good qualities,” Sivisoglu said. “Unfortunately, his personal failings overwhelmed his positive attributes.”

Houston said the conflicts began because Sivisoglu disregarded his advice about how to run the County Board race.

“Most of the conflict we had was because I had numerous campaign experiences, and he had none,” Houston said, adding that he worked as a paid staff member for several campaigns in Washington state.

“He’s the most difficult candidate I’ve ever worked for,” Houston said. “He never wanted to listen to my experience or advice.”

Houston said he could not go into any more detail about the disputes because he signed a nondisclosure agreement the day before he was fired.

Before joining Sivisoglu’s campaign, Houston sparred with local Democratic leaders, who eventually asked him to give up his volunteer position.

“There were a number of issues with Jeff,” DuPage Democratic Party Chairman Bob Peickert said. “His work was less than satisfactory. We felt that it was in our best interest if he did no more work for the party.”

Peickert declined to discuss specifics about the problems.

Houston said his troubles with the party began when he exchanged “heated words” with Willowbrook’s village manager over special event permits for the party’s DuPage Blue Fest, which was held at Arabian Nights Farm in July. After the argument, Democratic leaders “threw him under the bus” to make sure they were able to secure the necessary permits, he said.

Despite the disagreements Houston had with the party, Sivisoglu said he wanted to give him a chance.

“It’s very unfortunate,” Sivisoglu said. “I hope he overcomes his personal challenges.”