There were no TV cameras present as "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" star Steven Jordan, also known as Stevie J, appeared in federal court Tuesday, but it was certainly his reality.
Jordan, who is scheduled to be back in court Wednesday afternoon for a bond hearing, was arrested Monday evening on a criminal complaint out of New York. According to the complaint, he more than $1.1 million behind in child support payments.
During Jordan’s appearance Tuesday, an Atlanta judge read the complaint, which said in part, in 1999, Jordan was ordered by a New York family court to pay $6,608 a month to support two children, and in 2011, that amount was increased to $8,557.
A news release from the office of the Manhattan U.S. Attorney said Jordan’s payments have been in arrears since March 2001. The total Jordan owes is in excess of $1,107,412, according to the release.
The release said Jordan, who is still in custody, received “substantial income” during part of the time he wasn’t paying support. The New York prosecutor’s release said in October 2012 Jordan joined the cast of “a reality television show for which he was paid approximately $27,000 per month.” The release goes on to reveal more than $100,000 in music royalties Jordan allegedly received between 2003 and 2013, and more than $190,000 he allegedly earned between January and August of 2013.
“Yet, during that same period, Jordan did not make a single voluntary child support payment, and had a total of just $18,566 garnished and applied towards his child support obligations,” the release said.
“This alleged conduct would be an extraordinary failure as a parent, and in this case is also a Federal crime,” Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Derrick L. Jackson said in a prepared statement. “When the law allows, we will hold deadbeat parents accountable for shirking their financial responsibilities.”
Jordan will ultimately travel to New York to face these charges, said Daniel R. Meachum, his Atlanta attorney.
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