Dave Briggman
September 22nd 04, 06:49 PM
Gospel playwright owes over $500,000 to child
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Matthews, a traveling
gospel playwright who owes $589,577.79 in child support to his Wayne County
child, has been arrested, Attorney General Mike Cox announced today. Mr.
Matthews has the largest child support arrearage in Michigan and is the
largest case the Child Support Division has prosecuted to date.
"Parents have an obligation, both legal and moral, to provide for their
children," Cox said. "My office will not relent in going after parents who
refuse to provide for their children. Make no mistake, these deadbeat
parents
will feel the full force of the law."
Michael Matthews, 50, a well-known gospel playwright who produces gospel
plays throughout the United States, was arrested yesterday from a warrant
issued six months ago. He is being held at the 36th District Court lockup
and
will be arraigned in 36th District Court at 1 p.m. today.
"We know he has been aware of his obligation for quite some time and
chose
not to live up to it," Cox said. After his 1995 divorce, Matthews was court
ordered to pay child support. Matthews had his lawyers contact the Child
Support Division requesting a low bond over two months ago. When the
request
was refused, Matthews remained at large, refusing to surrender to
authorities.
He was arrested at the Wayne County Friend of the Court, while attending a
motion hearing.
The owner of "Prodigal Son Productions," Matthews was reported to have
earned more than $2 million per year throughout the early 1990's from the
production of gospel plays.
Yesterday's arrest is part of Attorney General Cox's effort to crack
down
on deadbeat parents focusing on parents that have the financial resources
and
ability to pay but don't. Separately, Cox formed the PayKids Foundation, a
nonprofit corporation funded by corporate sponsors, to help address the
epidemic of unpaid child support in Michigan through a public awareness
campaign. The PayKids initiative includes the placement of billboards
across
the state and the promotion of the PAYKIDS.COM Web site and 866-PAY-KIDS, a
toll-free number to assist those children and custodial parents who need
help.
SOURCE Michigan Attorney General
Web Site: http://www.michigan.gov/ag http://paykids.com
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Matthews, a traveling
gospel playwright who owes $589,577.79 in child support to his Wayne County
child, has been arrested, Attorney General Mike Cox announced today. Mr.
Matthews has the largest child support arrearage in Michigan and is the
largest case the Child Support Division has prosecuted to date.
"Parents have an obligation, both legal and moral, to provide for their
children," Cox said. "My office will not relent in going after parents who
refuse to provide for their children. Make no mistake, these deadbeat
parents
will feel the full force of the law."
Michael Matthews, 50, a well-known gospel playwright who produces gospel
plays throughout the United States, was arrested yesterday from a warrant
issued six months ago. He is being held at the 36th District Court lockup
and
will be arraigned in 36th District Court at 1 p.m. today.
"We know he has been aware of his obligation for quite some time and
chose
not to live up to it," Cox said. After his 1995 divorce, Matthews was court
ordered to pay child support. Matthews had his lawyers contact the Child
Support Division requesting a low bond over two months ago. When the
request
was refused, Matthews remained at large, refusing to surrender to
authorities.
He was arrested at the Wayne County Friend of the Court, while attending a
motion hearing.
The owner of "Prodigal Son Productions," Matthews was reported to have
earned more than $2 million per year throughout the early 1990's from the
production of gospel plays.
Yesterday's arrest is part of Attorney General Cox's effort to crack
down
on deadbeat parents focusing on parents that have the financial resources
and
ability to pay but don't. Separately, Cox formed the PayKids Foundation, a
nonprofit corporation funded by corporate sponsors, to help address the
epidemic of unpaid child support in Michigan through a public awareness
campaign. The PayKids initiative includes the placement of billboards
across
the state and the promotion of the PAYKIDS.COM Web site and 866-PAY-KIDS, a
toll-free number to assist those children and custodial parents who need
help.
SOURCE Michigan Attorney General
Web Site: http://www.michigan.gov/ag http://paykids.com