Conservative commentator and former political candidate Steve Gill must pay his ex-wife $170,000 in 10 days or go to jail, a Williamson County judge has ruled.

In a ruling entered into the court on Sunday, Judge James G. Martin sided with Kathryn B. Gill, who was seeking nearly $236,000 for various expenses related to the divorced couple's sons.

The case originated in January, when Gill's ex-wife filed a petition for civil contempt.

Kathryn Gill was seeking $86,000 in child support from Steve Gill, in addition to $4,400 in medical expenses, $133,000 in college expenses and another $11,000 for a car she purchased for the children's use.

She was also seeking half of the earnings Steve Gill receives if a building he partially owns in Knoxville is sold.

The couple divorced in 2011.

Kathryn Gill wanted the court to hold Steve Gill in civil contempt for failing to make the payments.

Steve Gill skips court, but says he didn't receive notice

Steve Gill, who also hosts a radio show on WLAC, said he had not seen the judge's order until Tuesday. He said he would file a response later this week, in which he would seek to overturn Martin's order.

"(I'm going to) ask that we go to court and present the facts and numbers," he said.

In his final order, Martin found Steve Gill to be in contempt of court, after he did not appear for a hearing or send legal representation.

Gill, who is an attorney, said he did not receive any notices of any hearings or that the case was moving beyond the initial complaint. He also said the complaint did not account for money he had paid for his kids' tuition.

Despite his claims, Gill must pay his ex-wife $245,300, according to Martin's order.

That figure includes $19,000 in attorneys' fees and other expenses Kathryn Gill incurred related to the case. The court also determined she should be awarded an additional $50,700 for interest to compensate for the loss of money she should have received earlier.

Martin said Steve Gill must pay $170,000 before the end of the month.

"In the event that Steven Lee Gill fails to purge his contempt within that 10 days, the Court will issue an order requiring that he be taken into custody and remain in custody until he purges himself of contempt," Martin wrote.

Last week, when asked about the case, Gill said in an email, "I have not seen a ruling nor have I received notice of a trial or hearing on her claims."

Ex-wife claims years of missed child support payments

Documents filed with the case indicate between October and March 4, Steve Gill earned $71,890 while working serving as CEO for his company, Gill Media.

Gill co-founded The Tennessee Star, a right wing, online-based media company owned by Star News Digital Media Inc, of which Michael Patrick Leahy is the majority shareholder.

In the past, Gill has criticized welfare recipients on Twitter and, in 2012, once highlighted a video of a man with 30 kids who said he needed a break from his child support payment.

In a July 2017 letter to Steve Gill, his ex-wife noted that she had long tried to get provide payments related to his children.

"Attempts to address this with you over the years have fallen on deaf ears with no response," said Kathryn Gill.

"If you choose not to respond again, I will seek legal support in getting payment."

Kathryn Gill's letter also included a spreadsheet highlighting how Steve Gill had been failing to make adequate child support payments as far back as 2011, when the couple initially divorced.

Kathryn Gill's records indicate Steve Gill had not made a single child support payment between 2015 and 2017.

Also included in case's court filings is an undated handwritten note to Kathryn Gill by Steve Gill.

In it, he states, "Getting political payment next week and will catch up child support for March - August ($12,000). I think that catches up but let me know if you show an average beyond that. Thanks - Steve."

In recent years, Gill has been paid by House Speaker Glen Casada, expelled former Rep. Jeremy Durham, former state Rep. Judd Matheny, former state Sen. Mae Beavers, and perennial candidate Joe Carr, who is now a state employee.

Gill's ties to Tennessee politics date back to 1990, when he was reportedly in the mix to serve as U.S. attorney. Two years later, he served as a delegate for President George H.W. Bush. Gill unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 1994 and 1996.

Gill was the emcee of a Wilson County Republican Party fundraiser on May 14.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated which company owns The Tennessee Star.

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Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.