Since the recession hit many celebrities and athletes instead of paying on homes they no longer use or want, simply stop paying on them.

Rather let the bank deal with than continue to sink money into them.

I assume that is what is going on with Jets Antonio Cromartie.

Cromartie is being sued by the Bank of NY … for allegedly blowing off $105,381 in missed mortgage payments on an 864 sq. foot home he bought in his hometown of Tallahassee, Florida in November ’06.

According to Zillow.com, Cromartie bought the house for $135k. Docs show he co-signed on the loan with his mom right after he was selected in the 1st round of the 2006 NFL Draft … and they locked in on a ridiculously high 9.7% interest rate.

Bank of NY claims Antonio stopped making payments in 2010 ... and now it wants a judge to force the Pro Bowler to hand over the keys to the property AND make good on his mortgage payments … plus interest.

Cromartie signed a pretty lucrative deal with the New York Jets last season, so I would imagine if he wanted to keep the home, he could.

Simply a matter that he doesn’t want to.