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Though rock 'n' roll royalties continue to trickle in for former Men at Work guitarist Ron Strykert, the early '80s icon has neglected to turn any of that money over to his children and ex-wife, who are on welfare in Australia.
The Australian native was arrested last week on contempt charges for failing to pay child support and property settlement money to his ex-wife, Janka Thomas. Strykert spent 24 hours in jail after a Montana district judge ruled that he had withheld $38,000 owed in a property settlement and at least $8,000 in overdue support payments for their two children
Judge Nels Swandal said that the New Wave rocker had earned $26,000 in Men at Work royalties last year, but gave the money to his current wife rather than Thomas. Strykert will mortgage his $250,000 home in remote Corwin Springs, Mont., to pay his debt.
Following Men at Work's breakup in 1985, Strykert joined a New Age church that bans rock 'n' roll music within the confines of its small sect. Founded by Elizabeth Clare Prophet, the Church Universal and Triumphant has claimed the Men at Work guitarist as a member since at least 1990.
Australia's answer to the Police, Men at Work
hit No. 1 in the early 1980s with the comical singles "Who Can It
Be Now?" and "Down Under" before plummeting off the charts and
breaking up after just six years. (Anni Layne)