Celebrity Justice
Ex to "Scrubs" Star: Here's Why You're Dr. Cox

TMZ has learned, a "Scrubs" star has scrubbed his child support obligation because of the WGA strike.

John C. McGinley, who plays Dr. Cox on "Scrubs," was paying his ex-wife, Lauren Lambert, $9,000 a month in child support since their 2001 divorce. McGinley, whose 10-year-old son (with Lambert) has Down syndrome, has been praised for advocating Down syndrome research. But we've learned McGinley has told Lambert he has decided to cut his child support payments in half because of the writer's strike. Sources say he's told her it's "not fair" for him to pay his full obligation anymore because his show is not in production.

We're told Lambert is incensed, especially because McGinley, who is remarried with a child on the way, can afford "a big house in Malibu."

Sources say McGinley is supposed to pay half his monthly child support on the first of each month and the other half on the 15th. McGinley paid half on January 1 but paid nothing on the 15th and doesn't plan on it. Sources say Lambert may ask the judge to hold her ex in contempt.

McGinley's lawyer, Lynn Soodik, tells TMZ, "He's following the court order which allows him to reduce support if the show isn't being shot." But we've learned the court agreement states McGinley can reduce support only after "the final episode." The final episode is scheduled for the end of this season, so the fat lady hasn't sung.



Reader Comments

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1. $4500 is MORE than enough to support a child. Child support does NOT include medical insurance etc. This is above and beyond any medical/therapy costs.
She is being a wench and needs to get a freakin' clue. What good will it do the CHILD to throw the husband in jail. He is out of work. Doesn't matter that he is an actor out of work or an engineer out of work. If your income decreases you have every right for your payment to decrease.

Posted at 6:52PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Lolita

2. Someone should look in to Lamberts finances - if I am not mistaken she is FAR wealthier than McGinley - has always lived off of daddy's manhatten money - this is the ploy of a bitter jealous pathetic woman exploiting her child because of her lack of a life.

Posted at 8:19PM on Jan 25th 2008 by yourprince444

3. AMEN to yourprince444 at #120...
A big ditto...you have hit the nail on the head.

Posted at 6:28PM on Jan 30th 2008 by yadayadayada

4. Rich People they are REALLY SELF-ADSORBED azz'es.....Honestly..Joe Schmoe wouldn't be able to do this in are Normal society, they would be called Deadbeats and list goes on and on....

Posted at 6:39PM on Jan 17th 2008 by 54321

5. What a greedy beyotch.

Posted at 6:40PM on Jan 17th 2008 by Jess

6. So let him go to jail with the rest of the deadbeat dads. Oh, wait, this is Hollywood and they have a separate penal code than us mere mortals. I've heard this guy is a jerk anyway. TO HIS EX-WIFE-PUT A LIEN ON THE HOUSE IN MALIBU!

Posted at 6:42PM on Jan 17th 2008 by H20

7. What does she do- make babies and collect money?

Women like this give chicks a bad rep.

Posted at 6:43PM on Jan 17th 2008 by CoolGirl2008

8. Deadbeat loser.....my stepson's father is just over $30k behind in child support, but luckily I make damn sure the boy has more than he needs, I know what a loser is!

Posted at 6:46PM on Jan 17th 2008 by I call Shotgun

9. REAL NEWS IS THE 18 YR OLD WHO RAPED AND SODOMIZED HIS 8 YR OLD STEPSISTER WHOSE 32 YR OLD FATHER TURNED
AROUND AND BEAT AND RAPE HIS ASS TOO

Posted at 6:46PM on Jan 17th 2008 by sick n tired

10. This sounds like it has more to do with the new wife and less to do with the Writer's strike. He is not too bright to go along with this. Dude, that's still your son and his mother. Take care of them!!!

Posted at 6:51PM on Jan 17th 2008 by she smiled

11.
If McGinley is doing this, then it kinda sounds like the show's done, which would make his decision justified. But we don't know what people really are like in real life.

Posted at 6:49PM on Jan 17th 2008 by and Knowing is half the battle

12. If his pay was cut in half then I think half of $9000 is fair. If the mom can't raise a kid with $4,500 a month let alone what ever she hopefully put away or she earns SHE is the dead beat.

Posted at 6:58PM on Jan 17th 2008 by Kerjack

13. 9 grand a month? Wtf. Does any child no matter how disabled need that amount? She could buy the child a house in Malibu for that. I not saying shes a gold digger.............
So she had a life in line with that kind of income before she met Dr Beatoff? I know all the women are saying...yeah thats right 9 grand. I would say it's child support, not an excuse to never lift a finger again. If that was the case we should all give birth to a retard and sit back and collect the cash.

Posted at 7:02PM on Jan 17th 2008 by Shannon

14. This woman should be able to support her son and herself on $4500 a month. Come on! What does SHE do, besides collect child support?

Posted at 7:05PM on Jan 17th 2008 by mum2fish

15. SCREW her ! she wants custody of the child and is re married, then support it and quit sponging on his money.

Posted at 7:08PM on Jan 17th 2008 by Stiff Willie

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