Judge to Jon Gosselin: Cough Up That $180K!

Jon Gosselin has been ordered to return a staggering $180,000 he took from a joint account he shares with estranged wife Kate in violation of a arbitrator's order.

Kate alleged that Jon cleaned out the account of more than $200,000 (her story kept changing, and the amount increasing, to $235,000), leaving her destitute.

Jon said he withdrew only $22,000, which was clearly a lie, and also accused his ex of fabricating that she can't pay bills when she herself is hiding $1 million.

According to Kate's lawyer, Mark Momjian, "The remaining sum of $55,000, which Ms. Gosselin used for household bills and expenses relating to the children, will be subject to further determination by the arbitrator at a later date."

Kate Gosselin said in a statement, "As difficult as this has been for me, I am pleased that the court has ruled fairly on behalf of myself and my children."

"Now that this matter has been ruled on, I look forward to returning to private arbitration, as Jon and I have agreed to do, to resolve any remaining issues."

This picture was taken in court today. Just kidding!

Speaking on behalf of Team Jon was his lawyer, Mark Heller.

"All of the attorneys on both sides worked very hard. We are all very pleased with the outcome of the court proceeding and the arbitration session," he said, putting on an act. "We are very hopeful that there will soon be a resolution."

Jon is thus required to give back that cash by October 26 - the next time they two are back in court - or appear before the judge for a contempt proceeding.

In response to Jon's allegations that Kate is hoarding massive sums, the judge also ordered Kate to provide accounting of past expenses by the same date.

Today's Jon and Kate circus at the Montgomery County courthouse featured an oddball cast that included the Kate Plus 8 principals, a small army of lawyers, an arbitrator, a judge, Kate's omnipresent bodyguard and others.

Michael Lohan was even there to show support for his new BFF.