Apr 23, 2007 7:23 pm US/Eastern
McGreevey Divorce Takes Even Uglier Turn
Former N.J. Governor Says Wife Knew Truth For Years
by Marcia Kramer
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
-
-
James McGreevey and his wife Dina on the day he announced he was resigning because he is a "gay American."
Related Stories
-
April 23, 2007: McGreevey's Wife Tells All In New Book
(4/23/2007)
-
April 19, 2007: McGreevey Teaches Ethics & Law At Kean U.
(4/19/2007)
-
Feb. 2, 2007: McGreevey Files For Divorce
(2/2/2007)
-
Jan. 18: Former Gov. McGreevey's Wife To Write Memoir
(1/18/2007)
-
Nov. 23, 2006: The Other Side: Cipel Provides Intimate Details
(11/21/2006)
-
Nov. 21, 2006: Former Aide Disputes McGreevey's Claims
(11/23/2006)
-
Nov. 21, 2006: The Other Side: Former Aide Disputes Gov.'s Claims
(11/21/2006)
-
Oct. 26, 2006: McGreevey Would Wed Partner If Law Passes
(10/26/2006)
-
Sept. 19, 2006: McGreevey Memoir Hits Stores Sparking Controversy
(9/20/2006)
-
Sept. 19, 2006: Dina McGreevey Shuns Former Governor's Book Tour
(9/19/2006)
-
Sept. 14, 2006: McGreevey Holds Nothing Back In 'The Confession'
(9/15/2006)
-
Sept. 12, 2006: McGreevey Talks To Oprah About His Coming Out
(9/13/2006)
The divorce between Jim McGreevey and his soon-to-be ex-wife is so contentious they are now battling over when she knew he was gay.
"My truth is that I am a gay American," were the words uttered by McGreevey back in August 2004 when he announced to the world his sexual preference and that he was stepping down as governor of New Jersey.
It seems like a page out of "Ripley's Believe It Or Not."
McGreevey said that when he told the world of his sexual orientation. It was not a surprise to his wife, Dina. But now he says the ruse had been going on for much, much longer.
In papers filed Monday in the couple's increasingly acrimonious divorce, McGreevey now contends she knew before their October 2000 wedding.
"Although it is clear that the defendant knew of my sexual orientation before our marriage, she chose to either ignore it or block it out of her mind, even when questioned by her friends," McGreevey said in papers filed in Union County court on Monday.
He goes on to charge that: "This is homophobia in its worst form."
Prior to Monday's court filing both McGreeveys had contended that Dina found out her husband was gay when he confessed to her hours before he resigned his office in August of 2004.
Others have said she knew while McGreevey was allegedly having an affair with Golan Cipel
In his book, "The Confession," the former governor talks about how Dina caught him on the telephone with Cipel in the summer of 2002 and asked angrily: "Are you gay?"
In the quiet Elizabeth neighborhood where Dina Matos McGreevey's parents live, their next-door neighbors said they had no idea about McGreevey's sexual proclivities until he announced them publicly.
"Just like everybody else, we were surprised," Lorraine Kosinski said.
Added Stanley Kosinski: "People around here don't say nothing. They don't say a thing. Dina comes here to say hello. We don't get involved."
Monday's court papers are the latest salvo in the couple's bitter divorce and custody battle over daughter Jacqueline.
Dina has her own book coming on next week, called "Silent Partner."
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Slideshow : Openly Gay Celebrities
Click to enlarge
NYPD: Tests Suggest Powder Scare Not A Threat 34 mins ago 
MIRACLE: Woman Has Risky Surgery During Childbirth 1 hr 31 mins ago 
Stumble It!
Comments