Former US basketball star Dennis Rodman has been ordered to pay as much as $500,000 in backdated child support to his ex-wife.
Rodman was also found in contempt of court and sentenced to informal probation. He was warned by Orange County Superior Court Commissioner Barry Michaelson that he could be jailed if he failed to pay.
Lawyers for the athlete said that he had not been properly informed of an increase in child support payments ordered at a hearing in November 2010 which he did not attend.
His lawyer said:
“He’s been complying with the court orders ever since he found out the correct information.”
She added that Rodman planned to try and attempt to have the $500,000 order set aside as he had not been present to challenge the original order and his previous lawyers had missed a deadline to challenge it.
Rodman retired from the National Basketball Association in 2000 before moving into acting and professional wrestling.
He and former wife Michelle married in 2003. She filed for divorce the following year but the couple made a number of attempts at reconciliation. The marriage was eventually dissolved earlier this year.
The former couple have two children, born in 2000 and 2001. A hearing is scheduled for January 24 on child custody and visitation arrangements but Rodman and his ex-wife reportedly hope to reach an agreement before that date.
