Hecker seeking no jail time for missed alimony

Former Twin Cites auto mogul Denny Hecker is asking a divorce court judge to refrain from throwing Hecker into jail for failing to make alimony payments.

Hecker faces a Hennepin County court hearing Tuesday at which he must explain why he failed to stay current on alimony payments to his second and fourth wives.

Hennepin County judge Jay Quam has threatened to put Hecker in jail unless Hecker caught up on those payments and file a complete accounting of his finances.

In a filing with the court, Hecker said his decision not to pay alimony to two former spouses was based on a distorted interpretation of the law. Hecker also berates himself for cashing out a retirement account jointly held with one ex-wife and borrowing money from a trust fund for his children.

Hecker said he hopes his ex-wives will grant him some grace. If he were jailed, Hecker said that would keep him from earning money to support his families and defend himself against federal criminal charges.

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