Actor Gary Busey jailed for tardiness

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LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Actor Gary Busey was thrown into a Los Angeles jail for showing up 40 minutes late to a spousal support court hearing.

A family court commissioner issued a bench warrant for Busey's arrest when the actor failed to show up for a 9 a.m. Monday court date in which the actor's ex-wife alleged Busey owes her more than $1.5 million in back support, Celebrity Justice reported Wednesday.

When the actor finally appeared, he was locked up.

"I've been practicing law for 21 years and I have never seen anyone arrested for appearing 40 minutes late to a court hearing," said Judy Roberts, Busey's attorney.

A previous run in with this same commissioner was behind the atypical arrest, Celebrity Justice said.

"Mr. Busey didn't appear once before in this courtroom because he was filming a movie in Bulgaria, and the court had issued a bench warrant. I think that's why the court was so harsh this time," Roberts said.

Roberts arranged for Busey's $25,000 bail to be posted and had the actor out of jail in two-and-a-half hours.