Saturday, May 14, 2005
FORMER BASKETBALL STAR ARRESTED OVER CHILD SUPPORT ARREARAGE
The Associated Press reported on Friday that former NBA player and College All-American Ralph Sampson was arrested Friday in Atlanta on two felony counts of failing to pay court-ordered child support. It is alleged that Sampson failed to keep up with child support for a daughter in Falmouth, Virginia and that he owes more than $6,000 to that daughter. Sampson is also charged with failing to comply with a 1988 order that he pay $1,500 a month in child support for a daughter in Alexandria, Virginia and that, as of April 30, Sampson owed more than $247,500
Sampson, 44, faces a maximum possible sentence of two years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on each charge if convicted. A federal grand jury in Virginia indicted him on May 4.
According to the AP, “Court documents in the 2003 case showed Sampson was paid $539,060 in 1999 and $134,765 in 2000 by the Sacramento Kings.”
All other issues aside, we wonder how this matter managed to become a federal case. After all, Mr. Sampson is 7 feet 4 inches tall and he has apparently not paid support to one of the children for a period in excess of ten years. Surely, authorities could have found him before now. If it takes ten years to find a guy who is on TV and is 7 feet 4 inches, what hope do regular folks have of collecting their support? And what do Mr. Sampson’s shenanigans do for the Average Joe who finds himself behind on his child support obligations and before a judge?
The Associated Press reported on Friday that former NBA player and College All-American Ralph Sampson was arrested Friday in Atlanta on two felony counts of failing to pay court-ordered child support. It is alleged that Sampson failed to keep up with child support for a daughter in Falmouth, Virginia and that he owes more than $6,000 to that daughter. Sampson is also charged with failing to comply with a 1988 order that he pay $1,500 a month in child support for a daughter in Alexandria, Virginia and that, as of April 30, Sampson owed more than $247,500
Sampson, 44, faces a maximum possible sentence of two years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on each charge if convicted. A federal grand jury in Virginia indicted him on May 4.
According to the AP, “Court documents in the 2003 case showed Sampson was paid $539,060 in 1999 and $134,765 in 2000 by the Sacramento Kings.”
All other issues aside, we wonder how this matter managed to become a federal case. After all, Mr. Sampson is 7 feet 4 inches tall and he has apparently not paid support to one of the children for a period in excess of ten years. Surely, authorities could have found him before now. If it takes ten years to find a guy who is on TV and is 7 feet 4 inches, what hope do regular folks have of collecting their support? And what do Mr. Sampson’s shenanigans do for the Average Joe who finds himself behind on his child support obligations and before a judge?
Labels: "Deadbeat Dads", Child Support Collection, Pro Athletes
