Closed Trial in One Governor's Divorce; Closed File in Another's
Although a former New Jersey governor and his soon-to-be ex-wife have been going at each other publicly for months, the first three days of their divorce trial, which started today, will be held behind closed doors.
Reportedly focused, at this point, on the custody of their one child, the divorce trial of former Gov. Jim McGreevey, 50, and his wife, Dina Matos McGreevey, 41, is also expected to determine alimony, child support and whether McGreevey, who is now openly gay and living with another man, fraudulently entered into his marriage with his wife, reports the Associated Press.
“The most sensational witness,” the news agency writes, “could be Teddy Pedersen, a 29-year-old former aide who claims he had regular three-way sexual encounters with the McGreeveys.” The claimed encounters allegedly began in 1999 when McGreevey and his now-wife were dating, and ended two years later, once they were married and he had been elected governor.
McGreevey resigned in 2004, after his sexual orientation became known as a result of a claimed extramarital affair with another man.
Meanwhile, a Nevada judge yesterday sealed the file of the state’s current governor, Jim Gibbons, 63, who reportedly filed for divorce on Friday from his wife of more than 20 years, and agreed to close his eventual trial as well, reports the Associated Press in another article.
“While the Nevada Supreme Court ruled in December that most civil case records must be open, Carson City District Judge Bill Maddox cited a state law that allows for the automatic sealing of divorce cases at the request of either spouse,” the news agency writes.
In addition to seeking a divorce from Dawn Gibbons, 54, the governor is also seeking a court order ousting her from the governor’s mansion.
Related coverage:
Daily News: “McGreeveys air their McGrievances: Jersey’s former first couple back at it”
CNN (2004): “McGreevey announces resignation after telling of affair”
Associated Press: “McGreeveys argue over allowing aide to testify at divorce”
Associated Press: “Nevada governor files for divorce”
Washington Post: “For Nevada GOP, One Spectacle Too Many”
PolitickerNV.com: “Never a dull moment in Nevada politics”
