DETROIT — Former NFL star Andre Rison faces a court-ordered bankruptcy to pay more than $105,000 in back child support and other claims.
He has until June 25 to respond to the order before the court proceeds with efforts to recover his assets, Terese Dear, a courtroom deputy for U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Flint, said Tuesday. The order was entered June 6.
Rison, a Pro Bowl receiver who played at Michigan State, owes child support, attorney fees and court administrative costs, according to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy court petition.
Rison's ex-wife, Tonja Rison is listed as one of the creditors. Her claim is for more than $58,000 in child support. An Atlanta law office is claiming another $46,000 in unpaid legal fees for seeking child support from Rison for two children by a girlfriend.
Rison's attorney, David Kallman, had no comment Tuesday.
Attorney David Findling was appointed a receiver by Genesee County Circuit Court to go after child support when Andre and Tonja Rison divorced in 1990. He is hoping to be named trustee in the bankruptcy.
Findling said between $60,000 and $70,000 in the player's NFL pension already has been liquidated for the Tonja Rison child support case. His office also is pursuing a $100,000 severance benefit Rison had in his final NFL contract with the Oakland Raiders.
Kessler said he is concerned that Rison now owns very little that can be liquidated through bankruptcy. Rison spent nearly a month in a Georgia jail in 2005 for failing to pay child support.
Rison played for seven NFL teams from 1989 to 2000, including the Green Bay Packers. He played five games in the Canadian Football League after his NFL career ended.
