By Staff
LANSING - Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm Friday said she initiated proceedings to extradite a Florida man charged with failing to pay more than $69,000 in child support, a felony crime punishable by four years in prison.
Jeffery George Catania was arrested by law enforcement officers in Lake County, Fla., in August 2005.
In April 1981, Catania was ordered by Berrien County Circuit Court to pay $57 per week for the support of his minor child, but he has failed to comply.
As of September 2005, his unpaid support obligations totaled $69,218.15.
Upon return to Michigan, Mr. Catania will face prosecution.
In Michigan, non-support of a child is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine.
Since taking office, Granholm has requested the return, through the extradition process, of more than 100 parents who failed to support their children as ordered by Michigan courts.
Under the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act, the power to demand extradition of a fugitive who has fled from justice in Michigan and taken refuge in another state is vested in the governor.
After receiving extradition documents, Florida officials can issue a warrant delivering the fugitive into the custody of Michigan authorities.
To encourage parents to pay their past due child support, the state is offering an amnesty period that began Oct. 1, 2005.
Under the new law, parents who owe past due child support in Michigan have a 90-day window to avoid state criminal and civil enforcement penalties.
Penalties that have already been initiated will be waived with the exception of felony prosecutions or in circumstances where a delinquent parent has already been arrested due to failure or refusal to pay past due child support.
The amnesty program does not affect current support obligations.
The amnesty program was established by Public Act 584 of 2004 and sponsored by Rep. Alexander Lipsey.
For more information regarding the amnesty program, parents can contact their local Friend of the Court office, call 1-866-540-0008 or visit www.michigan.gov/dhs and click on “Child Support.”