Please...forget me not.'s Blurty

Court Tv on 5/6
Ex-governor in divorce court

NEW YORK — Here’s a case you may want to pay attention to. Beginning Tuesday, the divorce battle between former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey and his wife, Dina Matos McGreevey heads to the courtroom. The couple was married for about 4 years with a young daughter when McGreevey came out in a 2004 press conference, saying he was a “gay American.” That breaking news was not the only bombshell. The then-governor admitted to having an affair with one of his male staff members.

A Union County, New Jersey family court judge has basically begged the couple repeatedly to settle the matter out of court without success. So now a very public trial is set to begin. Some of the issues to be litigated are: child custody, financial support and fraud.

Although the first part of the case, concerning child custody and parenting, will be closed, the remainder of the trial will be open to the public for all to hear exactly what went on inside the walls of the New Jersey governor’s mansion.

Matos McGreevey is asking for $600,000 to compensate for the lifestyle she should still be leading as first lady of the state of New Jersey. Additionally, McGreevey’s wife has filed a claim of fraud, claiming that the former governor married her so he could achieve his political dreams as a straight husband and father.

McGreevey’s lawyers want to call to the stand a man by the name of Ted Pedersen. He is a former driver of the McGreeveys who says he engaged in sexual romps with the couple during their courtship and marriage. Jim McGreevey wants to use this testimony to try and prove his wife knew he was attracted to men even before they married and that she was not defrauded regarding his sexual orientation.

According to a legal brief written by McGreevey’s counsel, the former governor will testify. “Mr. Pedersen’s testimony will be corroborated by the testimony of the plaintiff.” Matos McGreevey denies the trysts ever occurred.

In Session will be on the ground covering this case. We’ll see you in New Jersey.