Woman who filed paternity suit against Michael Jordan is fined for lying about NBA star fathering he
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A woman who filed a false paternity suit against Michael Jordan has been fined for lying about the NBA star fathering her child, according to new reports.
A judge ordered Pamela Smith to pay Jordan's legal bills after he asked the court to penalise Smith for making the false claims.
The judge handed down the ruling on July 19, stating Smith knew the 17-year-old wasn't Jordan's when filing the suit earlier this year, reports TMZ.
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Facing the consequences: Pamela Smith was fined nearly $10,000 after filing a false paternity suit against NBA star Michael Jordan earlier this year
The judge ordered Smith to pay Jordan $9,704.13 and called her claim a publicity stunt, pointing out she had hired a publicist before getting a lawyer.
Smith - who claims she had an affair with the sports star in 1995 - filed the suit in March against Jordan and asked that the basketball hall of famer take a paternity test and pay child support.
Jordan denied the claims, and a lawyer for the majority owner of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats said Smith's divorce filings established her ex-husband as the father.
'Father and son': Mr Jordan with Taj, who claims to be the son of the former sports star, though his birth certificate has another man's name
Smith then withdrew her paternity in April, but left open the possibility that it could be refiled.
Smith 'stands by the facts alleged in her original filing,' Atlanta attorney Randall Kessler told The Associated Press at the time.
Kessler said the lawsuit was withdrawn on Friday without prejudice, meaning it can be refiled.
Questionable: The original suit against Jordan was dropped, but Smith promised to refile after legal oversight
Kessler previously said the ex-husband hasn't paid child support or been involved in the teen's life.
Smith 'began this case without an attorney and did her best to file what she believed to be a legally appropriate case,' Kessler said in a statement.
'She then hired our firm just before the first court appearance. Ms. Smith has relied on our advice and determined that dismissal at this time, without prejudice, is in her son's best interests.'
The teen, who uses the surname Jordan, has in the past taken to the internet to insist that the former Chicago Bulls star is his father.
According to TMZ, the woman was hesitant to bring Jordan's name through the mud but her teenage son begged his mother do everything she could to get Jordan to acknowledge that the boy was his son.
Heyday: The basketball legend is seen playing for the Chicago Bulls during his heyday in 1988
Testimony: Taj, who uses the last name Jordan, has taken to Youtube to insist his father is the legendary athlete
Affection: The Georgia-based, 16-year-old aspiring rapper is pictured with his mother
Jordan remains one of the most recognized sports figures in the world nearly 10 years after his retirement from the NBA and is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time.
He was a 14-time NBA all-star, won six championships with the Chicago Bulls and was named the finals MVP six times.
In 2010, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved Jordan's purchase of the Bobcats, making him the first former NBA player ever to become the majority owner of a league franchise.
This is not the first time he has been the subject of a paternity suit - in 1991, his former lover Karla Knafel claimed the star was the father of her child, but a DNA test proved that this was not the case.
Appeal: Taj has said he wants Mr Jordan to be more involved with his life
Engaged: Jordan is pictured with his fiancée Yvette Prieto, whom he married in April
Watch the video of Taj claiming to be Michael Jordan's son
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