Illinois rapper found in contempt on child support
The Chicago rapper known as Chief Keef was found in direct civil contempt of court Sept. 5 for not showing up for a hearing regarding his alleged failure to pay child support. Trouble over child support obligations was just the latest legal problem for the 18-year-old artist, whose real name is Keith Cozart. He had reportedly been held in a juvenile facility for brandishing a weapon in his music video, which violated his probation for an earlier charge of pointing a weapon at a police officer, in addition to other brushes with the law. Cozart had previously been jailed for disorderly conduct after evidence of marijuana use was reportedly detected by a hotel's security. He also had to pay $531 in fines after he was stopped by Illinois State Police for driving 110 mph on an area expressway.
The Cook County judge ordered the rapper to appear in court for a new status hearing. If he fails to show up in court and also continues to not pay child support, he could be taken into custody.
Trouble in civil court has also dogged the rapper, who released his first album in 2012. Cozart and his record label, Glory Boyz Entertainment, had to pay more than $230,000 to a concert promotion company because he failed to appear at a London show in 2012, court records show. His notoriety got a boost that year as well when he exhibited braggadocio in a Twitter message posted after a rival Chicago rapper was gunned down.
Rich or poor, famous or average, noncustodial parents cannot shirk their child support obligations without serious penalties. Chicago attorneys might help clients with delinquent payments to arrange a more reasonable payment plan, or they could help custodial parents who are owed child support by drafting an enforcement order.
Source: Chicago Sun Times, "Chief Keef held in contempt of court for not paying child support", Michael Lansu, September 12, 2013
