Dennis Rodman is "extremely sick" and "broke," which prevents him from being current on child and spousal support payments, court documents obtained by the Chicago Tribune say.
Rodman, 51, owes more than $800,000 in back child support for two children he had with his third wife, Michelle Rodman, her attorney said in court documents. He also owes more than $51,000 in spousal support, Jack Kayajanian claims.
Rodman must appear in court in Orange County, California, and faces 20 days in jail for not paying, according to the documents.
"Respondent Dennis Rodman is broke and cannot afford any additional fees," documents filed on his behalf by his attorney Linnea Willis say.
His lawyer claims Rodman has been able to pay support recently only by borrowing money from his finance manager, Peggy Williams, and his agent, Darren Prince.
"In all honesty, Dennis, although a very sweet person, is an alcoholic," Williams said, according to the Daily Pilot in Costa Mesa, California.
"His sickness impacts his ability to get work. This case, especially his wife filing for divorce, has put him on a binge that I have never seen before. He is extremely hurt and extremely sick. He is often unable to obtain work because of this sickness. And his sickness is getting increasingly worse.
"Dennis cannot afford his own monthly expenses. If the court awards attorney fees, it is setting Dennis up to be in contempt because you cannot get blood from a turnip."
Michelle Rodman's attorney counters that Rodman flies all over the world hosting nightclub gigs and is not broke.
Rodman, who won three championships with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls before playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, has had numerous run-ins with the law in his Newport Beach home.