Meadowlark Lemon responds to child support claims from ex-wife, son

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington native and basketball legend Meadowlark Lemon is responding to reports earlier this week that his ex-wife and adult son are suing over unpaid child support dating back decades.

Lemon sent an e-mail to media outlets, including WWAY, regarding the allegations by his ex-wife Willie Lemon Campbell, 78, and his son Jonathan Lemon, 48.

“I received a Motion-for-Contempt this past October regarding my divorce in April 1977, nearly 40 years ago.  Jonathan and his mother are asking for a payment of  $250,000, claiming I did not fulfill the court-ordered alimony and child support,” Lemon wrote. “While I am stunned and saddened by these allegations, I am confident the court will find these allegations to be false.”

Lemon, who is known as the “Clown Prince of Basketball” based on his 23 years with the Harlem Globetrotters, said taking care of his children has always been important to him.

“I have five children with my ex-wife Willie, and Jon is the youngest,” Lemon wrote. “There were three children at home and two in college at the time of our divorce.  I love my kids.  Providing for them is one of the most important things I’ve ever done.”

Campbell says Lemon was ordered to give up their family house and pay $2,500 a month in child support in their 1977 divorce settlement. The suit says the house was remortgaged by Lemon and he stopped child support payments after one year.