Pamela Smith, Michael Jordan Paternity Case: 'Shameless,' Says NBA Legend's Lawyer
Pamela Smith's Michael Jordan paternity lawsuit has finally been responded to by the NBA legend. Jordan asked a Georgia judge to dismiss the case, calling it a "shameless, bad faith attempt to abuse the legal system" in court documents.
Pamela Smith is accusing Michael Jordan of being the biological father of her 16-year-old son. She claims she met the basketball superstar in the 1980s, but Jordan's lawyer John Mayoue countered that the paternity of the child was "conclusively established" in divorce filings between the woman and her ex-husband.
"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," Jordan's spokeswoman Estee Portnoy said in a statement to the Associated Press. "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."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Smith filed for divorce from Glenville G. Reynolds in 2003, and the court documents say the child is the offspring of the couple. The boy's birth date and name are also listed, with Reynolds signing the documents, claiming everything is "true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief."
Smith said she never intended to file a suit against Jordan- she wants a paternity test, child support, and payment for any medical, dental and hospital costs not covered by insurance- but her son posted a YouTube video claiming Jordan was his father Dec. 25.
"Pamela had no choice but to support her son and his desire to forge a relationship with his father," Smith's publicist, April Love, stated Friday. "That's why she is now speaking out and prompting Michael to do the right thing."
Smith does not have a lawyer. Both Smith and Jordan are due back in Fulton County Superior Court March 12.
