City Has Net For Deadbeats

February 7, 1997

by MICHAEL O. ALLEN, Daily News Staff Writer

The city yesterday launched a cyberspace hunt for deadbeat parents who owe tens of thousands of dollars in child support payments.

Computer users around the city and the world can now access the Internet and view a “Deadbeat Hall of Shame” with names, photographs and other data on the 25 most-wanted deadbeat parents, Mayor Giuliani said.

“With a click of a mouse on the picture of the deadbeat parent or parents,” Giuliani said, computer users can get vital statistics, the amount owed and other information on each nonpayer.

“These are people who we are seeking and we have warrants for and that will be arrested once they are found,” said Nicholas Scoppetta, head of the city Administration for Children’s Services.

The city is seeking about 65,000 New Yorkers for failure to pay as much as $750 million in support owed for 90,000 city children, officials said.

Paul Milson, a 51-year-old marketing executive whose last known address was in Long Valley, N.J., holds the top spot in the new hall of shame. He owes a whopping $205,000.

Also high on the list is Eric King, son of millionaire boxing promoter Don King. He has yet to make a single support payment for his daughter, and now owes more than $175,000, city officials said.

The computer effort, similar to programs already launched by the state and federal government, features identifying traits similar to “Wanted” posters hung in post offices.

For instance, computer users who click on the photo of Peter Paul Lynch, 51, learn that he sports tattoos of cartoon characters Yogi Bear and Boo Boo on each arm and is now believed to be living in Florida.

The information represents an international expansion on the Top 10 poster of worst deadbeats that the city distributed in government offices and libraries last year.

City officials said the poster helped nab three deadbeats, who either coughed up what they owed or are negotiating to pay up, ACS officials said. Two others have been located, and their cases are pending.

Giuliani announced that the city office of child support enforcement collected $235 million from absent parents on behalf of 135,000 children during 1996, up $29 million, or 14%, from 1995.

To view the deadbeat list, click on the Administration for Children’s Services site.