$94,000 deadbeat dad gets probation

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 1998 | 10:27 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A man who has been referred to as one of Nevada's biggest deadbeat dads was placed on five years probation Monday but not before he spends three months in jail.

District Judge Mike Griffin handed down the penalty to William Mantik, 50, who owes $94,323 in back support to his three children who live in Washington.

Griffin said Mantik "never willingly sent one dime out of his own pocket" to his children despite a prior court order.

Deputy District Attorney Ray Oster asked for a sentence of two to five years in prison, saying Mantik "has shown no regard for the court order." He said Mantik quit a job to avoid child support.

Mantik was found only after a poster with his picture was circulated, according to Oster.

"He was willfully hiding from authorities. He said Mantik left Washington with $55,000 in his pocket but never sent any money to his children," Oster said.

"He victimized his three children for eight years. He earned his prison sentence."

But defense lawyer Carter King presented a letter from Mantik's ex-wife who requested that the father of her children be placed on probation. King said Mantik's former wife, who has since remarried, wants the child support.

"The children should not be sacrificed in the rush to punishment," King told Griffin.

King said Mantik has an opportunity to begin training as an assistant manager for Wendy's restaurant and his wages can be assigned to start paying the back support. The most recent court order from the state of Washington requires a $600-a-month support payment.

It may take Mantik up to 10 years to repay the back support payments, King said.

If Mantik doesn't remain employed and doesn't pay his child support, King said Griffin can sentence him to prison.

Mantik was working at the state prison earning $28,000 a year but was fired when it was learned he was so much in arrears on his child support.

Griffin said Mantik's ex-wife was a remarkable person for not holding a grudge.

"She wants the money," said the judge, shortly before he placed Mantik on probation.