Mos Def Spends Valentine's Day in Court

Posted on 02.17.2006

Mos Def Spends Valentine’s Day in Court

Mos Def spent his Valentine’s Day (Tuesday, February 14th) in a Brooklyn, New York, courtroom with his ex-wife, Maria Yepes-Smith, because the rapper’s first two child-support payments were short. The New York Post reports that per the couple’s divorce, which was finalized on January 1st, Mos Def was ordered to pay $10,000 a month in child support for his two daughters, who are seven and eight years old. The rapper’s first two payments were only $8,000 each, leaving a balance of $2,000 per month.

The rapper’s lawyer, Steven Goldfeder, told the judge, "It’s the best he can do under the circumstances. He has several children. He’s always provided for them."

Goldfeder argued that in addition to having to provide for his three other children, Yepes-Smith has reneged on a promise to home-school the two girls.

When Judge Sarah Krauss asked Goldfeder why Smith had not complied with the order, the rapper said "I’m the only person who’s providing for my children."

"Please tell your client not to talk anymore," Krauss then told Goldfeder, before recommending he file an amended claim to specify grounds for divorce.

Outside of the hearing Yepes-Smith’s lawyer Karen Blaustein cast doubt on the rapper’s claims that he cannot pay the ordered amount.
"I’ve been seeing him in these commercials with Bruce Willis for his new movie. I’m sure he made enough money to pay his child support for his 7-and 8-year-old daughters."

Mos Def’s next film, 16 Blocks, is due out next month. The action thriller also stars Bruce Willis as a key witness in a corruption case.

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