T.I. Blasts Ex-girlfriend for Child Support Demands

Rapper T.I. has fired back at his ex-girlfriend for demanding more child support, accusing her of "manipulating" the media to portray him as a bad parent. The "Whatever You Like" hitmaker, 27, is being sued by Lashon Dixon, the mother of his seven and eight year old sons, who claims she cannot raise them on the monthly $2,000 allowance he currently pays her. In her lawsuit, filed in Georgia's Fulton County Superior Court, Dixon is seeking a court order forcing the hip-hop star - real name Clifford Harris - to increase his payments so they are in line with his current earnings. But T.I., who has three other kids from other relationships, insists he has never failed to support his children "financially, emotionally, and spiritually", claiming he has even helped Dixon to pay for a new home, a car and "other financial obligations". In a statement posted on his official website, StreetCred.com, he alleges Dixon is using the press to "manipulate the circumstances and distort the facts" about the case. He adds: "Those that know me, all know that there is nothing more important to me than my children." T.I. is adamant Dixon's problems all arise from the fact that she refuses to work - and instead just lives off his monthly payments. He continues: "This is the reason for her difficulties in making ends meet for herself." And T.I.'s lawyer, John Mayoue, is confident T.I.'s reputation as a doting dad will be proved when the case goes before a judge. Mayoue says, "The evidence in this case from both sides is that T.I. is a loving, involved and generous father. The mother of his two children, Ms. Dixon testified to this during the recent hearing. T.I. is an exemplary parent who is seeking joint legal custody of his children. They spend approximately 40 per cent of their time with him." http://www.thebeatfm.com/main.html