Jan. 22 marked the end of a long battle for Orion resident Sandra McSwain, as her ex-husband, Reginald Brown, pleaded guilty under a plea bargain for failing to pay over $110,000 in court ordered spousal support.
Brown and McSwain divorced in February 1989 after McSwain was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, according to Oakland County Circuit Court records. At that time, Brown was ordered by the court to pay her ex-wife $1,000 a month for spousal support.
According to Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh, both civil and criminal charges were brought against Brown, with the civil being ‘an attempt to collect funds that were owed Sandra through court order.?
As a result of the deal, the case will come back in front of Oakland Circuit Judge John McDonald in December 2008, and in the meantime, Brown must pay, in monthly payments, a $60,000 sum to McSwain.
‘If he has met the monthly obligations as agreed, then as of December, the felony charges will be dropped,? Narsh said.
‘We’re very thankful on Sandy’s behalf that this case has come to a close,? he added.
McSwain had been relying on public assistance and charity to survive, and in 2001, almost lost her home. Through community support, however, was able to raise enough money to keep it.
‘If (Brown) had met his court ordered obligations, Sandra would not have been in mortgage trouble back then,? Narsh said.
Brown was arrested in March in South Carolina, and had been living on a yacht, ‘Vanishing Point.? Upon his arrest, according to Narsh, he pled ‘hardship? as his reason for not paying the support.
‘At any time, Mr. Brown could have come to the Friend of the Court and requested reduced payments, rather than just ignoring his responsibilities,? Narsh added.
Narsh thanked Attorney General Mike Cox and his office for their assistance in the case.
‘Without their involvement, we would not have been successful,? he said.
Narsh is hoping that this closure with allow McSwain to live a more normal life.
‘I know that there are many in the community that are happy for Sandy that this chapter in her life is closed,? he added.