Former 'American Idol' Finalist Avoids Jail Over Dad's Bills
FLINT (WWJ/AP) - Former "American Idol" finalist and Flint native, LaKisha Jones, has avoided jail on a civil contempt conviction for failing to pay her father's nursing home bills.
Genesee County Probate Judge Jennie Barkey had ordered Jones to serve 45 days in jail, but she was given the chance to avoid incarceration if she paid more than $5,000 she owed, along with $2,000 in attorney's fees. Barkey earlier found Jones in contempt for not paying Lonnie Jones' bills.
Christopher Ebbott, a lawyer representing LaKisha Jones, told The Flint Journal that the money was turned over Tuesday. Ebbott says it was an "unfortunate situation" when Jones didn't have enough money for her father's bills.
LaKisha Jones received guardianship of her 68-year-old father in 2012 after his stroke, under which she was to pay monthly bills for his care at a nursing facility. Lonnie Jones was discharged from the facility after his daughter failed to pay nearly $6,500, according to reports. He was then moved to another facility, where LaKisha Jones again reportedly fell behind payments to the tune of $1,600.
Judge Barkey said LaKisha Jones made payments to settle some of the debts in 2014, but still owed the facilities money. She said she used his Social Security checks for rent and his other living costs, adding she "didn't steal" his money.
The 35-year-old Flint, Michigan, native finished fourth in 2007 on the TV talent show and performed on Broadway in "The Color Purple."
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