Court reduces former mayor Herenton’s child support payments [The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tenn.]

Sept. 01--A former security guard lobbied Tuesday for more money in child-support payments from former Memphis mayor Willie Herenton, 70.

Instead, she walked out of court with $968 less a month.

Herenton admitted in court Tuesday that he hasn't been an attentive father to Michael, 5, who was born out of wedlock. But he proved that he has been paying his share of child support.

After an often-contentious three-hour hearing, Juvenile Court Magistrate Sheldon McCall reduced Herenton's monthly child support payments from $2,100 to $1,132. McCall said he thought the mother was more concerned about her needs than the needs of her son.

While testifying, Claudine Marsh, who now lives in the Atlanta area, lamented the travails of raising a son on her own. She said she's on unemployment, is uninsured and is barely making ends meet.

She complained that Herenton has seen his son only once in the past year and hasn't sent Michael birthday or Christmas presents.

She said school officials advised her to get her son counseling for "anger issues."

Herenton's attorney, Mitchell D. Moskovitz, pointed to the single mom's $640 car note and extra expenses including cable TV, a cell phone and $650 a month for day care.

He asked why she didn't have a job. She insisted she can't find one.

Marsh's attorney, Pat Woods, had unsuccessfully lobbied in previous legal filings to have Herenton jailed on contempt charges for not showing proof of all of his sources of income since he retired last year as Memphis mayor.

Herenton's attorney asked if Marsh understood the seriousness of that request.

"You are aware that you're asking your honor to send Michael's father to jail?"

Marsh retorted: "Michael's father is not taking care of Michael the way he should, correct? That's why we're here."

Herenton's attorney continued: "You would agree you've been irresponsible?"

Marsh snapped: "In getting with Willie Herenton? Yes."

Herenton, then 64, met Marsh when she was a 31-year-old security guard Downtown. Marsh gave birth to Michael in September 2004.

Marsh testified Tuesday that she and Herenton continued to have an "on-again, off-again" relationship for years.

She said he paid moving expenses when she left Memphis last year with plans to work at the Westin Hotel in a northern suburb of Atlanta. That job never materialized.

Herenton went to Atlanta for a visit in 2009, but the two argued after he announced his plans to end his 17-year run as mayor.

"He didn't give me any information as to what was going to happen to me and Michael," she said.

Herenton, who pays for Michael's health insurance, showed proof of two life insurance policies listing his son as beneficiary.

-- Beth Warren: 529-2383

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