Community service for Dennis Rodman.
Rodman Sentenced – It stood to reason that when Dennis Rodman made news again, it would not be for something good. And sure enough, the former NBA star was sentenced Tuesday to 104 hours of community service after being found guilty last year of four counts of contempt for failing to pay child support.
At 51, Rodman, is also placed on three years of informal probation on the condition he keep up his child and spousal support payments.
All of this began in 2004, when Rodman’s wife at the time filed for divorce.
Known as much for his wild appearance with tattoos and body piercings and wild behavior as his prowess on the court, Rodman wore a black button down shirt and jeans to family court. That modest attire did not influence Orange County Superior Court Commissioner Barry Michaelson.
”My suggestion is to use your talents as a motivator, as a fine, fine athlete and as a fine person to assist others in need,” Michaelson said.
Rodman still faces additional contempt charges and is accused of owing back child support in an amount that attorneys for Michelle Rodman, his ex-wife, say exceeds $800,000.
”It’s all about the kids,” Rodman said of the ex-couple’s two children, after the hearing. ”It does suck the fact that it had to come to this.”
Rodman’s attorney Linnea Willis said the four charges stemmed from a period of time when he was expected to pay $50,000 a month in child support. That amount has since been reduced to $4,500 for child and spousal support. Rodman is now current on those obligations, she said.
Michelle Rodman’s attorney, Jack Kayajanian, said he was pleased with the ruling and an award of $32,500 in attorney’s fees.
