"I haven't been able to talk to my kids in a few months. It's gotten to the point where even I feel embarrassed. I feel like a deadbeat dad." But Robert Henos swears he isn't. He says since last October his employer, Advanced Cleanup Technologies Inc., has been taking money out of his paycheck for his child support payments, but hasn't handed the money over to the state.
His paychecks show that money for child support is taken out of his check regularly. The check from two months ago shows that more than $7,000 was taken out from January until July. But according to a statement from the California Department of Child Support Services, Henos is behind more than $13,000 on his payments. "Where's my money, where's my kids' money?"
Crystal Rrockwood, a spokesperson for Advanced Cleanup Technologies Inc., or ACTI, doesn't deny that the company has held onto payments. She claims it was an oversight and blames it on an overhaul of the accounting department.
Rockwood says company officials only became aware of the problem a few weeks ago. "This matter was brought to our attention, we investigated it, and took steps so payment would reach the proper authorities," said Rockwood.
But so far, that hasn't happened. A spokesperson for the California Department of Child Support Services said, as a result of our call, someone will be working with Henos and ACTI to resolve the matter.
However Henos is still skeptical. "Everybody's running me in a circle, telling me the child support (department) has to file charges. Child support called me the other day wanting me to give them a credit card number to make the payment," said Henos.
But he shouldn't have to make that payment himself because, according to Rockwood, the money will reach the Child Support Department within days. However just how much money ACTI will be sending the state, Rockwood couldn't say.
ACTI has been in the news before. In a previous Contact 17 Investigation, we told you about dozens of claims against ACTI for bouncing paychecks. The California Labor Department says the investigation into the company in that matter is not closed.
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