Rodman must pay $500K in child support

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman has been found in contempt of court and ordered to pay $500,000 in back child support to his ex-wife, her attorney said on Thursday.

The flamboyant basketball player, known for his off-court antics, was sentenced to informal probation, his ex-wife's attorney, Mary Ann Noiroux, said. Orange County Superior Court Commissioner Barry Michaelson warned Rodman could face jail time if he doesn't pay the child support, she said.

Another attorney for Rodman's ex-wife argued in court that Rodman owed Michelle Rodman about $850,000, but Linnea Willis, the former NBA standout's attorney, challenged that figure, Noiroux said.

The sides met outside court and agreed to $500,000, which Michaelson approved, Noiroux said.

Willis said the contempt finding came from Rodman unintentionally paying too little, pointing out that the judge gave Rodman no jail time or community service, and commended him for his previous community service in the case.

Willis said in a phone interview that Rodman was not present at a November 2010 hearing where he was ordered to pay additional child support and was not properly served the documents with the new order, resulting in several months of underpayment.

Associated Press

(China Daily 12/08/2012 page15)