Parham Delijani agreed to pay past due electric bills for the home he once shared with his ex-wife.
Some six months later, when those bills went unpaid, the parties appeared in court and Delijani's attorney promised that his client would "immediately" rectify the problem.
When that didn't happen, the Nassau County Supreme Court found Delijani in contempt of court, and directed that he be incarcerated.
Since there was no formal agreement or order in place when his counsel made the representation to the court, the Appellate Division, Second Department, was of the view Delijani couldn't be criminally sanctioned.
To view the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Delijani v. Delijani