DUNNING DEADBEATS

CONGRESS GIVES NEW CHILD-SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT TOOLS TO STATES--AND A NEW TYPE OF BILL COLLECTOR

AL JAMES, OF A COMPANY CALLED CHILD Support Enforcement, is working the phone. He's got the mother of a perp on the line, and he's reeling her in. "We' ve been trying to reach your son since August without any response to letters or messages." James is a former repo man; he plays it polite but inexorable. "Do you know who he is working for?" Pause. "Does he understand that Texas has passed criminal-nonsupport statutes?" Pause. "Do you think he may be afraid to call? That if he calls he will go to jail? Tell him I will work with him...

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