The current governor of Nevada finds himself in the midst of a dicey divorce this week. Governor Jim Gibbons filed for divorce from his wife of 22 years, Dawn Gibbons.

Gibbons filed for divorce last Friday in Carson City, NV and asked the court today to seal the divorce file. Nevada law allows a divorce case to be sealed, making its contents private, at the request of either spouse. Only the original petition and the final judgment will be considered public record. Interestingly, Gibbons’ petition apparently seeks a court order requiring his wife to pay his attorney’s fees. The petition cited incompatibility as grounds for the divorce and asked that the couple’s community property be distributed according to state law. Nevada is a community property state, which will require that the marital property be divided equally between the spouses.

Gibbons served five terms in the U.S. Congress before being elected governor of Nevada in 2006. He reportedly moved out of the governor’s mansion a while ago and his wife has been living there. The divorce petition also seeks to have her removed from the mansion. Dawn Gibbons claims that she has no idea why her husband is divorcing her and says that he has cut off all communication with her. The couple has a 20 year old son, who is attending the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in New York. Under Nevada law, he is considered emancipated and, therefore, no child support or custody orders will be necessary.

Gibbons was the subject of sexual assault allegations brought by a Las Vegas cocktail waitress in 2006 while running for governor. No charges were ever filed. He was also investigated by a federal grand jury over allegedly taking bribes in exchange for assistance in the award of federal contracts while he was a Congressman. Again, no charges have been filed.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal