Key Takeaways
- Paul Pierce faces a renewed child-support challenge from Princess Santiago, who claims he omitted income tied to his cannabis company, Fox Sports 1 work, and commercial real estate.
- Santiago wants Pierce to pay a previously ordered $10,000 toward a forensic accountant and another $40,000 in attorney fees, though the filing does not prove he concealed assets or that his cannabis business makes a profit.
- A judge previously set temporary support at $8,508 per month and ordered Pierce to pay $100,000 in legal fees after records estimated his monthly income at $128,000 to $165,000.
Paul Pierce is facing fresh accusations in his ongoing child support battle, with the former Boston Celtics star's ex-girlfriend alleging that he has failed to provide complete financial records concerning his cannabis business, television earnings, and a commercial property.
According to TMZ Sports, Princess Santiago, a Los Angeles event director who shares a young son with Pierce, has filed new court documents challenging the accuracy of his financial disclosures. Santiago claims Pierce has withheld records that could provide a more complete picture of his earnings, potentially affecting how much he pays in child support.
The dispute centers on several alleged omissions, including financial documentation related to Pierce's cannabis company, compensation from Fox Sports 1, and an ownership stake in a commercial property. Santiago is seeking additional records to determine whether the former NBA champion has fully accounted for his income.
The filing does not establish that Pierce concealed assets or that his cannabis business is profitable. Those claims remain allegations.
Santiago also accuses Pierce of failing to comply with an earlier court order requiring him to contribute $10,000 toward a forensic accountant who would examine his finances.
Now, she wants the court to enforce that payment and order Pierce to cover another $40,000 in attorney fees.
The latest filing follows an August hearing that offered a closer look at Pierce's financial situation. At the time, a judge ordered him to pay $8,508 per month in temporary child support, substantially less than the $30,000 Santiago initially requested.
The court also ordered Pierce to pay $100,000 in legal fees.
Financial records presented during those proceedings reportedly placed Pierce's monthly income between $128,000 and $165,000. Santiago now argues that those figures may not reflect his full earnings, citing the business interests and financial records she says have not been disclosed.
The legal fight began in January, when Santiago filed a paternity action while pregnant with their son, King. She initially sought DNA testing after claiming attempts to address the matter privately had failed.
"I filed for paternity papers after multiple attempts to resolve this privately," Santiago told TMZ at the time. "This isn't about drama or attention — it's about accountability and doing what's right for my child."
Pierce's attorney declined to comment on the original filing.
The 49-year-old spent 19 seasons in the NBA, earning about $198 million in career salary with the Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers. Since retiring in 2017, the 2008 NBA champion has pursued broadcasting opportunities and cannabis-related business ventures.
Pierce also shares three children with his former wife, Julie Landrum, whom he divorced in 2023.
