Ex-New Jersey Governor Divorce Trial Begins

In New Jersey, ex-governor Jim McGreevey’s bitter divorce from estranged wife Dina Matos McGreevey finally made it to trial this week.

As reported in our previous post on the McGreeveys, this one has been spectacularly bitter. Starting with the scandalous revelation that James McGreevey was gay and having an affair with a male staffer, the McGreevey divorce has been made for the headlines. The couple has seemingly done nothing to keep their story out of the papers, continuing to fight for years after they split. The biggest arguments have been over their six year old daughter Jacqueline and over the money Dina McGreevey believes she is owed for the time she lost in the governor’s mansion due to her husband’s resignation.

The case finally went to trial this week. The case has been divided into three parts for trial. The first part – custody – is closed to the public. The second and third portions – regarding alimony and Dina McGreevey’s fraud claim against the ex-governor – will be open. Reports out of New Jersey late today indicate that the couple may, in fact, finally be engaging in meaningful settlement discussions though. Tomorrow’s court session is not scheduled to begin until the afternoon so that the parties can continue their negotiations. It is unclear whether the parties are using a mediator or if they are merely negotiating between attorneys.

UPDATE: The McGreeveys apparently settled their custody issues on Thursday afternoon, May 8. They declined to make the details of that settlement public. The financial issues remain unresolved and set for trial.

Source: NJ.com