H. Beatty Chadwick (b. ~1938) is the American record holder for the longest time being held in civil contempt of court.[1] In 1995, a judge ruled (solely on the word of Chadwick's wife) that Chadwick hid millions of U.S. dollars in overseas bank accounts so that he would not have to pay the sums to his ex-wife during their divorce.[2] He was incarcerated until such time as he could present $2.5 million to the Delaware County Court. Chadwick maintains that the money was lost in a business transaction and therefore he cannot surrender money he does not possess.
For the past several years, Beatty Chadwick has been represented by prominent criminal attorney Michael J. Malloy, Esq of Media, PA. In March, 2009, Malloy issued the following statement: "I am hopeful that Mr. Chadwick will not be the first American to receive life imprisonment in a divorce case."[3]
As of March, 2009, Chadwick was awaiting a decision on a petition for habeas corpus pending in the court of common pleas in the Delaware County. On Friday, July 10, 2009 H. Beatty Chadwick was ordered released from prison by Delaware County Judge Joseph Cronin, who determined his continued incarceration had lost its coercive effect and would not result in him surrendering the money.
Although never charged with a crime, H. Beatty Chadwick spent fourteen years of his life in prison.