A Manhattan judge panned Lamar Odom Tuesday for failing to pay child support after participating in a celebrity boxing match in which his ex earned him a $ 40,000 paycheck.
“If Mr. Odom is in good shape to take part in a boxing match, he is certainly in good shape to meet his obligations to support his children under the Settlement Agreement,” said Matthew Cooper, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice, during a video hearing – which the former Los Angeles Laker did not attend.
Odom was sued last month by ex-girlfriend Liza Morales, who claims the athlete has broken a 2015 settlement agreement between her two children since June 2020.
Morales attorney Abraham Borenstein told the judge that Odom had not paid child support and that he owed her over $ 91,000 as of July.
“I’m disappointed the payments have been suspended,” said Cooper.
Borenstein also said Odom was behind on nearly $ 83,000 in rent for an apartment on West Street in Lower Manhattan where Morales lives with her children – prompting the landlord to file an eviction lawsuit against her.
Odom reportedly earns $ 40,000 from a fight with Aaron Carter.Donald Kravitz / Getty Images
According to the attorney, Odom also owes nearly $ 24,000 for tuition fees and room and board for their children. And the ex-NBA star reportedly dumped bank accounts of over $ 68,000 each that were set aside for college tuition, Borenstein added.
Morales’ lawsuit states that Odom, who was once married to Khloe Kardashian, has more than enough funds to pay child support – he made millions in the NBA and is still receiving a pension from the league and $ 40,000 out as well the boxing match on the 11th with Aaron Carter.
“There is enormous sums of money involved and Ms. Morales is unfairly biased by failure” [of Odom] to keep the agreement, ”said Borenstein, who also fears a $ 9 million life insurance policy has been taken out for the children.
Cooper asked Morales – a mainstay on VH-1’s “Basketball Wives” reality show – to testify what she knew about Odom’s income.
“He’s definitely making income,” Morales said on video. “He just got a check for that boxing match. He does a lot of things about his brand. He has a CBD company that he works with. “
Morales added that Odom was also paid to appear in a documentary about psychedelics.
“I just want to note that if Mr. Odom wants a brand that means something, it should be one where the person behind the brand pays to support his children and doesn’t put his children at risk of displacement.” said Cooper.
Morales started crying when she told the judge how stressful the situation was. She said that she and her children had difficulty sleeping and that she and her son were diagnosed with depression.
Liza Morales claims Lamar Odom has not honored the deal over her two children for a year.Mark J. Terrill / AP
“That was very overwhelming,” said Morales tearfully.
Since Odom failed to appear in court to defend himself against the claims, the judge issued a default judgment against him for any monies Morales says she owed, including legal fees.
“If Mr. Odom has received any money from his celebrity match, you sure want to get a verdict so you can take action as soon as possible,” Cooper said, encouraging Borenstein to file a verdict for him to sign it as soon as possible possible.
Odom and his representative both did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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