Judge to ex-Ray Dukes: Pay up or go to jail

TAMPA -- Former Rays player Elijah Dukes was ordered today to pay $40,643 in back child support or face a 90-day jail sentence.

Hillsborough Circuit Judge Mark Wolfe held Dukes in willful civil contempt for failing to pay his court-ordered child support and alimony to his estranged wife, NiShea Gilbert.

Dukes, who now plays for the Washington Nationals, can avoid time behind bars if he pays Gilbert the full amount by 5 p.m. Jan. 23. If he doesn't pay up, he must report to jail by that time. He can get out of jail by fulfilling his child support and alimony obligations.

Dukes has three children with Gilbert, who is divorcing him. He isn't yet required to pay child support for the youngest, who was born in August. Gilbert plans to seek payment for that child.

Gilbert says she got a check for about $16,600 from Dukes' attorney in April. She also received $200 in December.

According to the court order, Dukes earned about $394,000 in 2008.

An attorney for Dukes and a team spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment.

Gilbert's attorneys said they would continue to fight to hold Dukes responsible for his obligations to his children.

"They’ve gone through a whole lot of suffering during these many, many months," said attorney Rick Escobar. "We continue to be very aggressive and make sure that each and every payment obligation is paid in a timely manner."

Colleen Jenkins, Times Staff Writer 

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Comments

[TriplePlay]

Elijah might have to sell some of dem gold teef to help pay his bills.

[The Watcher]

The standard is being set for all future sports players. This judge did the right thing so far...