Kate Gosselin did not hold back in a recent interview when asked about her ex Jon Gosselin, during which she strongly implied he has been an absentee father and wasn’t in it for the long haul. Now, a source who knows the former couple tells In Touch Kate was only willing to stay in the marriage for money and fame.

“Kate wanted fame and fortune at any cost,” the source exclusively tells In Touch, explaining that in 2009 — as Jon and Kate’s marriage was crumbling —TLC arranged a mediation in LA, where they made Jon a lucrative offer.

MORE: Jon Gosselin Speaks Out After Daughters Claim He “Doesn’t Know Them”

“TLC and Kate agreed that they needed to keep the marriage intact to make the show go on and offered Jon $2 million to sign a contract to stay married for two more years,” the source continued. “Jon was told they could have an open marriage behind the scenes but he refused. He didn’t want to have a fake marriage for a TV show.”

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“She was willing to do it back then to stay relevant, and she’s still doing it now,” Jon exclusively told In Touch. “That interview is filled with lies. I’m a regular dad trying to spend as much time with my kids as possible.”

Jon, who revealed he sees most of his children every Tuesday plus every other weekend, stands firmly on his role as a good father, “I love all of my children and hope they all know I’m there for them unconditionally. I’m a good dad.”

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