'Deadbeat dad' in New York court

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'Deadbeat dad' in New York court

Published: 22 Feb 2013 at 07.36
Online news: World

NEW YORK - A New York man who fled to Thailand to escape charges that earned him the title "most wanted deadbeat parent" pleaded guilty Thursday to owing more than $1.2 million to three children from two failed marriages.

Robert Sand, 50, pleaded guilty in US District Court in Central Islip on Long Island to two counts of failing to pay child support. Assistant US Attorney Alan Bode said in court that the child support orders, which were issued on Long Island, have been in arrears since at least 2002.

The figure cited by Bode includes interest and penalties. The prosecutor declined to comment to reporters after the court proceeding.

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facts_only
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Discussion 7 : 22 Feb 2013 at 11.187
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"A New York man ... pleaded guilty Thursday to owing more than $1.2 million to three children from two failed marriages...The two mothers of Sand's three children ... claimed their priority is for Sand to be free to earn a living so he can repay his debt." - above article

The average American with a bachelors degree earns $2.3 million in an entire lifetime. Before taxes. (source: US News August 5, 2011)
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 6 : 22 Feb 2013 at 10.116
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Not considering the interest the sum adds up to about 30,000 USD per child per year. A minimum wage worker in the US makes about 15,000 USD per year. How does that all add up?
I understand the fathers are responsible for their children and I agree they should pay for them. But in many countries the rules are something like: If the father paid for a luxury life for his wife and children before a divorce then he must pay for a luxury life also after a divorce. Why?
The kids should be able to live somewhere safe, eat and go to school and that’s about it. If he wants to pay more, fine. But that should be up to him.
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what
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Discussion 5 : 22 Feb 2013 at 09.495
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The figure cited by Bode includes interest and penalties.
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tomb
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Discussion 4 : 22 Feb 2013 at 08.484
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That amount of child support is clearly insane. Courts should start handing out reasonable punishments.
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robins
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Discussion 3 : 22 Feb 2013 at 08.173
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More insanity from the so called "Land of the free." It's good for Thais to read this stuff, they should realize how good they have it here. It does not cost that much to raise a child, and in most American states the courts are not allowed to consider the ability of a parent to support the child when they make custody awards.
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massein
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Discussion 2 : 22 Feb 2013 at 08.012
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first i would like to say,this man must of been a helluva a car salesman for the former spouses to be awarded this kind of child support. 2nd i can't imaging any Thai to have a interest in this story Family abandonment is a common practice
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faranginkorat
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Discussion 1 : 22 Feb 2013 at 07.471
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The math works out to $40,000 per child per year. I wonder what it was originally? It is not uncommon, however, for excessive support awards to give a man few options. He was a car salesman, and the awards were probably based on high sales before the 2001 stock market crash, and he defaulted in 2002, just after the stock market crash. The courts, however, will not generally reduce such awards for changing circumstances.
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'Deadbeat dad' in New York court | Bangkok Post: news