Best news of the offseason: Elijah Dukes won't be going to jail for 90 days. For now.
Nationals outfielder Elijah Dukes will not face any prison time, according to two sources, as he paid $40,643 in back child support to his estranged wife, NiShea Gilbert, on Friday.
On Jan. 14, Dukes was ordered by Hillsborough Circuit Judge Mark Wolfe to pay the money by 5 p.m. ET on Friday, or face a 90-day prison sentence. According to TampaBay.com, Dukes' attorney gave the check to Gilbert's representative at 4:57 p.m.
4:57 p.m.? Cutting it a wee bit close, don't you think?
This guy is aloser from square one. The Rays knew it when they dumped him, the Nats are stuck with him.
Posted by: Crash173 | January 24, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Not to make excuses for any mistakes he's made, but...he's still young. He's not a lost cause. We *still* believe (hope?) Dukes will continue to turn his personal life around and live up to his skys-the-limit potential. He was one of few bright spots in 2008 - he's one of the (few) reasons to keep watching this team in 2009. Here's hoping Dukes can stay healthy - and out of trouble from here on out.
Posted by: The Nationals Enquirer | January 24, 2009 at 01:19 PM