FLEMINGTON — A hearing for John Waldorf scheduled for today in Superior Court in Flemington was postponed after judge Hany Mawla called in sick, according to the court administration. It is now tentatively scheduled for Friday.

Several supporters had planned on coming to the courthouse today.

Bruce Eden, Civil Rights Director of DADS (Dads Against Discrimination) has filed a write of Habeas Corpus on Waldorf's behalf seeking his immediate release.

Waldorf has been in the county jail for nearly eight weeks on a “non-support” charge for allegedly failing to pay full alimony.

He claims he is a victim of New Jersey's "antiquated" alimony system and many people agree with him. In late October a small protest was held outside the courthouse.

Waldorf, 60, formerly of Lebanon Township, divorced his wife of 11 years in 2011 and was ordered to pay $2,000 a week in alimony to his ex. That amounts to $104,000 a year. In addition he was ordered to pay $3,300 in child support per year for his 16-year-old son.

The divorce process was a long and bitter one with the judge faulting both parties for difficulties, according to court transcripts. During proceedings the judge said she wrongfully accused him of hiding assets while he was less than cooperative about sharing information about debts. The judge also said Waldorf was "willfully underemployed" for not seeking a better paying job so he could pay the ordered alimony.

In the beginning Waldorf had an attorney but when he could no longer afford to pay that attorney he began representing himself, according to court transcript.

In the court judgement, failing to make two consecutive full payments would result in a bench warrant for Waldorf's arrest.

In a letter to the editor of the Hunterdon County Democrat, Waldorf said he has paid more than $400,000 to his wife over the last five years. As of last week, he was behind more than $52,000 according to the county jail's website. Each week he owes another $2,000.

An engineer by trade, he was making about $6,200 a month, $1,800 less than what he was obligated to pay. The payments were being made through wage garnishment but state law limits how much can be taken from one's paycheck. Being in jail prevents him from working, which means there are no wages to be garnished.

It now also appears Waldorf has lost his job because of his current jailing. Meanwhile, Waldorf’s ex-wife, who is disabled, has been getting nothing, all while taxpayers are footing the bill to feed and house him as long as he remains in jail.

The story that appeared on NJ.com on Friday, Dec. 7, garnered more than 800 comments in four days. The vast majority agree that alimony reform is needed. Many, both men and women, shared similar stories of being ordered to pay more than they could.

Waldorf's case has become emblematic in some eyes for the need for alimony reform.

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