Bad ones don't get paid (5)
I believe the answer is:
debts
'bad ones' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for debts that I've seen before include "They're owed" , "Outstanding sums" , "Moneys owed" , "Amounts owed" , "Monies owed" .)