Newt Gingrich was at least $250,000 in debt to Tiffany’s

Newt Gingrich may be a fiscal conservative on federal spending, but when it comes to jewelry, it's a different story.

As Politico's Jake Sherman reports, the former House speaker turned GOP presidential hopeful recently owed between $250,000 and $500,000 to the tony jeweler Tiffany & Company.

The six-figure debt was reported on congressional financial disclosure forms in 2005 and 2006 filed by Gingrich's wife, Callista, who worked for the House Agriculture Committee until 2007. (The two married in 2000.)

The disclosure listed the liability as a "revolving charge account" and indicated it was her spouse's debt. Under congressional rules, lawmakers and staffers report their assets and liabilities in ranges--which is why there is no specific number on what Gingrich actually owed to Tiffany's.

Asked about the debt and whether his boss has now paid it off, Gingrich spokesman Rick Tyler declined to comment.

It's a detail that could potentially haunt his 2012 presidential bid--not unlike John Edwards' pricey haircut in 2007 and John McCain's ownership of eight properties in 2008.

The news adds to what has been a not great week for the former GOP lawmaker. Not only was he griped out on camera by a voter in Iowa, but Gingrich has come under fire by fellow Republicans for criticizing Paul Ryan's proposal on Medicare.

(Photo of Newt and Callista Gingrich: Evan Agostini/AP)