NBA star Dennis Rodman sentenced to community service in child support case

Washington, May 30 (ANI): Former NBA star Dennis Rodman was sentenced in family court Tuesday to 104 hours of community service on four counts of contempt for failing to pay child support.

Court Commissioner Barry Michaelson also placed Rodman on three years of informal probation. The sentence includes the condition that Rodman pay current child and spousal support obligations.

"My suggestion is to use your talents as a motivator, as a fine, fine athlete and as a fine person to assist others in need," Michaelson told the retired basketball player.

The sentencing put an end to one of the disputes in the long running case, which began when Rodman's now-ex-wife filed for divorce in 2004. But Rodman still faces additional contempt charges and allegedly owes back child support in an amount that Michelle Rodman's attorneys say exceeds 800,000 dollars.

On Tuesday, the towering former star rebounder said he'd do whatever community service was required near his home in Florida, possibly working with children, and did not begrudge his former wife.

"It's all about the kids," Rodman, 51, said of the ex-couple's two children after the hearing. "It does suck the fact that it had to come to this."

Rodman's attorney Linnea Willis said the four charges stemmed from a period of time when he was expected to pay 50,000 dollars month in child support. That amount has since been reduced - to 4,500 dollars for child and spousal support - and Rodman is now current on those obligations, she said.

The outstanding disputes over back child support and additional contempt charges will be addressed at a hearing on June 22.

Willis has claimed that Rodman owes far less money in back child support than his ex-wife's attorneys allege. (ANI)