Michael lohan: 'i'm not a deadbeat dad'

Michael Lohan blasted his "deadbeat dad" reputation after appearing in court on Tuesday (09Feb10) in a child support battle with his ex-wife Dina.

Actress Lindsay Lohan's parents have been feuding ever since Dina took Michael to court last year (09), accusing him of failing to pay £25,000 in child support.

The former husband and wife are parents to the 23-year-old actress, as well as her younger siblings Michael Jr., Aliana and Dakota.

But the born-again Christian insists he has settled his differences with his former spouse and has paid up what he owed her.

He tells RadarOnline.com, "The numbers are wrong and so are the facts. Dina will even state that I am not deadbeat. As Dina and our attorneys will confirm, Dina and I mediated the support issue and resolved it on our own. After a dispute over what was paid through the 'system' and what was paid otherwise, I agree that money is owed and we settled. Dina even stated that I am a good father and I did provide my children with what they needed outside the 'system'. We left on good terms. I know that only good things will follow."

And the Lohan patriarch claims he has learned his lesson not to handle private matters in the public eye, adding, "I am sorry it came to this, but to be honest, I was a little arrogant about this in the beginning because of the situation with Lindsay. I regret it and will never do it to Dina or my children again.

"As far back as the beginning of our divorce, I wanted to sit face to face and mediate things. When we did, it was all resolved amicably."