A man whose assets total $100 million was sentenced Friday to 11 months in prison for failing to pay more than $436,000 in back child support.

        The case of George Dale Murray, a Speedwell, Tenn., boating industry magnate, is the single largest criminal non-support case in Hamilton County history.

Murray

        Mr. Murray, 60, was convicted last month of “recklessly abandoning” his 7-year-old daughter, who lives in Harrison with relatives, when he did not pay court-ordered support of $101,450 a year.

        Mr. Murray is a former owner of Chris-Craft Industries Inc., based in Sarasota, Fla., and other companies. Court documents estimate his annual personal income at $1 million or more.

        “There is evidence that (Mr. Murray) shares his wealth to the enjoyment and benefit of his other children, but has not supported this child in any manner,” a document filed by the prosecution states.

        Mr. Murray met the girl's mother when she worked as a dancer at a topless bar in Lexington, Ky., officials said. The girl began living with her maternal great uncle and aunt in 1997, when she was 3.

        Defense lawyer Michaela Stagnaro, argued that Mr. Murray has contributed money for his daughter's care, has visited her, bought her clothes, thrown her birthday parties and phoned her. But poor health prevented him from complying with the court-ordered payments, she added.

        “Although, (he) understands now that he should have paid something during this entire time, he was under the mistaken impression that if he could not pay the entire obligation, (then) he could not pay anything,” she argued.

        He is “remorseful that he did not provide more during that time and is sincerely grateful” to his daughter's caregivers, she said.

        After sentencing, visiting Common Pleas Judge Arthur M. Ney, Jr. set an appeal bond at $427,000 cash, to allow Mr. Murray to remain free pending an appeal of his conviction.

        He was in police custody Friday evening.

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