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Sale of Obama suit maker Hartmarx sought
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-05-22 10:13

CHICAGO-Dozens of US lawmakers are asking Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to pressure creditors of Hartmarx Corp. to allow the sale of the struggling menswear maker.

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The 120-year-old Hartmarx filed for bankruptcy protection in January after banks cut off its credit. Its biggest creditor, Wells Fargo, has pushed to liquidate Hartmarx because it hasn't been able to repay $114 million.

Forty-three congressional members signed a letter sent Thursday to Geithner. They want Wells Fargo to accept one of three bids for Chicago-based Hartmarx because the bank received $25 billion in federal bailout money.

One of the bids, from British company Emerisque Brands, expires Thursday.

Hartmarx makes suits for President Barack Obama and employs more than 3,000 workers in Illinois, Indiana, New York and Alabama.