Late in March, we told you about how former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman was found in contempt of court for failing to pay child support to his ex-wife. Now a judge has sentenced him to 104 hours of community service. He was also placed on three years of informal probation as long as he keeps up on alimony and child support payments going forward.
The attorneys for Rodman’s ex-wife had claimed that he owed north of $800,000 in back child support payments. He was found guilty of four counts of contempt involving missed child support payments in 2009 and 2010. At that point, he was apparently expected to pay $50,000 per month in support, a number that has since dwindled to about $4,500, according to reports.
The couple was married in 2003, and Rodman’s wife filed for divorce the following year, after which a number of legal disputes relating to divorce and child custody arose. Their children are now 10 and 11, respectively.
Rodman and his attorney have said that he owes far less in child support than is claimed. Lately he has been making a living playing basketball in Asia and Europe, albeit earning less than he did than when he was in the NBA.
When Rodman was sentenced, the judge encouraged him to use his skills as a motivator and athlete to “assist others in need,” perhaps children.
Rodman is still facing additional contempt charges and outstanding disputes over child support, which are to be addressed at a hearing later this month, reports say.
Source: Yahoo, “Dennis Rodman sentenced in child support case,” Amy Taxin, May 29, 2012