Michael Jordan Paternity Case Dismissed Because Ex Didn’t Have a Case?

By: Amanda Anderson-Niles

As we recently reported, NBA living legend Michael Jordan was hit with a paternity lawsuit. In the suit, which was filed by the basketball player’s former girlfriend, Pamela Smith claimed that she got pregnant with Michael’s son while he was married. The boy is a 16-year-old who had already created a buzz for himself with YouTube videos posted in which he claimed that Jordan was his biological father and he just wanted to be treated like family. In the suit filed, Pamela was seeking child support and she also wanted the basketball star to pay for medical expenses. Most importantly, Smith wanted the judge to rule that her son had a right to take the Jordan last name. However, Michael Jordan’s attorney claimed the suit needed to be dismissed because paternity of the 16-year-old boy was already determined in paperwork filed during Smith’s divorce:

“Public records show that the paternity of the child was established in a prior case in this same court many years ago and that Michael Jordan is not the father. He also filed a counterclaim seeking sanctions for the false claims made against him. It is unfortunate that well-known figures are the target of these kind of claims. Michael Jordan will vigorously defend himself and his reputation.”

 

After Pamela filed paperwork demanding that Michael Jordan be required to take a DNA test, the case ended up getting dismissed at Pamela’s request, and now in a public statement released to the Associated Press by the attorney representing her, they hint that she dismissed the suit because she didn’t really have proof that the basketball player fathered her son:

“Ex-Girlfriend of Michael Jordan, Ms. Pamela Smith authorized a dismissal of the current suit against Mr. Jordan. She began this case without an attorney, did her best to file what she believed to be a legally appropriate case. She then hired our firm. Our firm reviewed the legal posture of the case, the history of the case, the filed pleadings and the relevant law. Ms. Smith has relied on our advice, has carefully considered the pro’s and cons of continuing the case and has determined that dismissal at this time, without prejudice, is what is in her son’s best interests.”

 

Jordan’s spokesperson, Estee Portnoy, said Monday that there was no pay off and the case was dismissed because it had no merit.

Pamela’s attorney, Randall Kessler, also told the Associated Press that Pamela’s ex husband has not paid any child support or been a part of her son’s life.