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Former 'American Idol' finalist avoids jail over dad's bills

Posted January 20, 2015 10:00 pm

The Associated Press

FLINT, Mich. (AP) - Former "American Idol" finalist 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, tells The Flint Journal (http://bit.ly/1E1ugA0 ) 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.

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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Information from: The Flint Journal, http://www.mlive.com/flint

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