PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A former CEO running for governor of Rhode Island could go to jail for allegedly failing to show up for a court date, according to reports.

A judge on Tuesday ordered Republican candidate Giovanni Feroce to be taken into custody after he failed to appear at a hearing on an unpaid judgment, the Providence Journal reported.

On WPRO’s Dan Yorke Show Wednesday, Feroce refuted the report, calling it “the biggest nonsense I’ve ever seen or heard.” He said he has been out of state on business.

Court records indicate Feroce, the former CEO of watchmaker Benrus as well as jewelry maker Alex and Ani, owes $8,000 to a clothing supplier.

According to court records, Broder Brothers Co. has been trying to collect on a default judgment since May 2017.

When he did not appear in court, the company requested that the judge order him subject to arrest.

Feroce said he has taken steps to begin negotiations with the plaintiff, and that he was not even aware he had to be in court until he saw the headline in the Providence Journal. He said he can move freely throughout the state without being arrested.

He says he thought the matter would be handled by Benrus’ court-appointed receiver, Burke said. She said she expects the matter to be resolved “in the next day or two.”

Feroce was previously sued by the NFL’s Buffalo Bills over a failed $1 million sponsorship agreement dating to his time with Benrus.

One of Feroce’s Republican primary opponents, House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan, is urging Feroce to drop from the race.

“I think that he has way too many problems to make him a viable candidate for governor,” Morgan told WPRO-AM on Wednesday.

At least three Republicans and one independent have announced challenges to Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo.