Sweeney Introduces Deadbeat Spouse Bill
"Jane’s Law" to Make Failure to
Pay Spousal Obligations a Federal Crime

August 10, 2005

Washington, D.C. - Representative John E. Sweeney (R-Clifton Park) has again introduced legislation targeted at deadbeat spouses who cross state lines in order to avoid paying spousal obligations. H.R. 229, ""Jane’’s Law"" forces deadbeat spouses and ex-spouses who cross state lines to be brought to justice.

Jane Maharam of New York, was married for 31-years to textile magnate, Robert Maharam. In June of 1983, he left the state with their assets. Jane received an immediate divorce, however, the Equitable Distribution trial did not take place until 1996. Following the trial, Robert Maharam took it on the lam and never gave Jane her court-ordered over $4 million share of the marital estate. After receiving a warrant for his arrest, Jane learned there was a loophole in the law; there was no way to enforce the warrant over state lines. Jane brought the issue to Congressman Sweeney’’s attention and he immediately took action to solve the problem.

""It’’s a shame that the plight of Jane Maharam and other women like her has been ignored for so long,"" said Sweeney. ""This bill will bring countless deadbeat spouses to justice, and I sincerely hope that the public awareness will close a longtime gap in our judicial system. By enacting this legislation we can help countless women and men who have been wronged get properly compensated, get closure, and move on with their lives.""

Jane Maharam said, ""Congressman Sweeney has a reputation of getting things done and being an effective legislator. I am so happy that he saw the problem and will fix it with Jane's Law. Jane said to Congressman Sweeney that this is one lady's journey, but it's justice for all.""

The legislation is modeled after the 1992 Child Support Recovery Act (CSRA) and the 1998 amendment to the CSRA, the Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act (DPPA). CSRA and DPPA made it a crime to cross state lines to avoid paying child support. These laws should also have addressed the issue of "spousal obligation." The Deadbeat Spouse bill rectifies this gap in the law.

Pols Target Exes in $$ War Federal Bill to Nail Spouses  Who Bolt To Avoid Divorce Payments By Brad Hamilton New York Post September 14, 2003 - EXCLUSIVE Deadbeat husbands, your time is running out. That's the word from two New York politicians who've teamed up to draft a new federal bill aimed at nailing spouses who bolt to avoid making divorce payments. Congressman John Sweeney (R-Saratoga Springs) and state Assembly Minority Leader Charlie Nesbitt (R-Albion) have joined forces on the bill, which they hope will be introduced in the  House in the next few weeks. "We're looking to JANE MAHARAM                         do what they've done with child- support  Owed $4M by deadbeat ex.                legislation,"  said Sweeney referring to the Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of 1998, which made it a felony to cross state lines to evade court-ordered child-support payments. Sweeney and Nesbitt have been working on the bill since mid-summer after meeting with Jane Maharam, the ex-wife of New York fabrics magnate Robert Maharam, 73, who fled to Israel to duck a $4 million settlement following their 1983 divorce. Although a Manhattan judge issued a warrant for Robert's arrest in 1996 on contempt charges, he's avoided paying up by staying out of state. Jane, 73, tracked him as he traveled to California, Florida, Georgia and other states, but the warrant wasn't enforceable because it was for a civil case and held sway only in New York. "Her story struck me as being grossly inadequate and unfair," Sweeney said. "I think the time has come for this legislation, and Jane has been instrumental in pointing that out." The new bill will be dubbed Jane's Law. Maharam is thrilled about the bill but says she's all but given up on getting any money from her ex-husband, whose firm, Maharam Fabric Corp., is one of the world's largest textile suppliers. "That's why this law is so important," she said. "I doubt I'll ever get any money from my ex-husband. But it's never going to happen to anyone else again." New York City victims include Rita Hilsen, 61, whose ex-husband, Jesse, was an Upper East Side psychiatrist who owned millions in Manhattan real estate when the couple divorced in 1988 after 24 years of marriage. He declared bankruptcy, then fled the country. Today, despite being owed $2 million in judgments, Hilsen is on welfare and living in a Manhattan homeless shelter.

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