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  On August 12, 2004, New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey declared, "I am a gay American," announced his resignation and claimed he had an affair with another man.

The "other man," former aide Golan Cipel, granted his first television interview to CBS 2's Jim Rosenfield, and said: "today I understand that [McGreevey] was tying a web around me from day one."

Here you can read what other CBS 2 viewers have to say.

Reactions:

I think that Governor McGreevey was set up in advance by the Israel government. They had known that the governor had homosexual traits and they exploited him in order to plant another spy in the United States. Cipel took the hit for Israel.
-- Joe

Golan Cipel interview was interesting. Poor guy never had a chance with such a polished sociopath as McGreevey. It is so good of you to give him a voice! I am a psychiatric clinician and McGreevey is a posterboy for sociopathy.
-- Lorie

Crap!!!
-- James

He is gay, but does not want to admit it---or maybe bi---or maybe he was gay for the McGreevey. What is apparent is that he is a liar. Period
-- Anonymous

Dear Sirs: As I listened tonight to the continuation of your broadcast on Mr. Golan Cipel's account of his side of the now infamous relationship between himself and former Governor McGreevey, I found myself beginning to seethe with increasing disgust over this story. While I have no particular feelings one way or another about Mr. McGreevey and his personal choices, I do, however, have my own personal opinions about Mr. Cipel, and his motivations.

This wonderful country of ours supports free speech. However, our media pays a high price to those enterprising people who may be looking to capitalize on Americans' appetite for a "hot story" in order to make a lot of money for themselves. It wouldn't be the first time (nor, sadly, the last time) that this happened.

Mr. Cipel says he's now back home in Israel working in marketing. I believe this is the only truth to any of his current statements. He is indeed in marketing; namely himself. Now that he's out of a prime job and future in America, he has figured out how he can capitalize on what Americans today crave and will pay for; and that's any type of dirty gossip (true or not) that they can find. And he has taken it to every level that America provides to such enterprising people; the talk shows that will pay even more for his version of this story.

I am becoming increasingly disappointed with our press, and how easily they can be duped by these clever people who can turn a scandal into profit for themselves. And we wind up, indirectly, picking up a very substantial tab for them, as they laugh all the way to the bank. And remember, it is we who allowed this to happen; but why? Is this truly important journalism? Quite frankly, I don't give a damn about what happened, but I do care about what I perceive to be his manipulation of our press to his own gain.
-- Nona

I saw the interview online. I don't believe a word Golan said. He was not that naive. After all, he managed to land six figure jobs from McGreevey when he had qualifications for none of them.
-- Richard

What a load!! Poor baby just stood there and was so shocked that he hung around for months after the "incident." I have been told that Golan used to come to meetings and brag about his being an "inside player" and often said that he would have to talk to Jim about this or that. Mc Greevey's only mistake was not coming out earlier so as to avoid getting himself into a corner where he basically closed his eyes to all the corruption being perpetrated in his name. I don't think it was any big secret that the Governor was gay, notwithstanding his being married.
-- Ilan

Why are you people wasting airtime on this lying, sleazy, greedy, self-loathing, closet whore? And if you're going to dedicate time and resources to this scumbag; why not ask real questions? eg; Why would any healthy heterosexual man take a homosexual advance (especially from a skinny wimpy looking McGreevey) like some kind of powerless victim? Unless he had an agenda? Why accept favors from someone who is sexually harrassing you? If you weren't looking for financial gain the whole time, why not come out to the press instead of filing suit? Why drop that suit and leave the country when McGreevy outs himself? This guy is a stereotype. He and Monica Lewinsky are cut from the same slimy cloth. Nothing but a bunch of opportunistic whores.
-- Alfredo

I'm glad they are getting this out there. I feel really bad for this guy- and I hope he doesn't judge all of America by this sleaze bag McGreevey. I think it's pretty obvious you have someone who was in power who thought he was going to get caught and figured it would be better to come out of the closet than to be outed not only as gay but as a sexual predator too. He's really damaged this young man's reputation. I hope that not only can he put this behind him, but that others will believe him so that he can reach his potential.
-- Kathy from Maryland

I think he made every attempt to make himself look helpless and defenseless. I think he knowingly participated in the entire dynamic.
-- Ben

You say you are asking the tough questions, so I have one for Mr. Cipel. If it was not a mutual relationship, why, after he was forced to leave the Governor's office after all of the bad press over his Homeland Security position, did he get jobs in McGreevey connected lobbying firms. Check around...he had not one, but two separtate jobs with firms that were chosen by the former Governor. Jobs which he received pay checks from, but never actually bothered to do any work at or show up to at all for that matter. Check around, and you'll find this information too. It's not difficult to find. Once he left the Governor's office, he was free to do what he wanted. He could have gone home, reported the Governor's conduct to the police or other State official. But he did not. He chose to stay in NJ and use his connections with the Governor to obtain other employment. Did you ask him about that? I'm not implying the Govenor is innocent in all of this. He made some pretty poor decisions too, but I don't believe that sexual harrasment was one of them.

-- Anonymous

Hah! What a joke! This guy got exactly what he wanted: A male partner and a reason to write a book and make millions. "Oh, my life ended right here, on my way to bed with a man." How sad for him! He was not crippled, did not need to do what he did, and could have "escaped" if indeed there was any threat at all. This guy is a liar and an opportunist. But as long as idiots buy his nasty little book, and other idiots pay him for interviews.....
-- Doug from New York

This is nobody's business. A new low for the media, including this interview along with publication and promotion of book.
-- Samms

The fact that CBS considers newsworthy the sordid revelations in the Golan Cipel interview is a sad statement about what the network considers news. When a network uses the nielsen ratings to evaluate its news programs, then news becomes infotainment in order to attract viewers. The publicity surrounding Katie Couric's ascendancy to the anchor chair is a prime example. Celebrity becomes more important than serious news stories. News is meant to educate not titillate. The degradation of news stories is a serious problem. No longer are important stories emphasized such as the genocide in Darfur, which has escalated; the ongoing problems in New Orleans; or the president's failed foreign policy. In-depth, serious journalism is essential to a successful news program, not fluff or tabloid journalism. I will certainly not be watching CBS news.
-- Jean

I absolutely believe Cipel's version of what happened.
-- Eileen

I really don't know who to believe,but there are too many gaps in Cipel's story. When he paused on the steps, he was merely gathering his lies. I thought Hollywood is missing an actor here. Don't waste any more air time or reporters' time on this poorly staged production!
-- Lucille

McGreevy's story has an element of repression and shame that fits well with popular conceptions of contemporary gay-American political culture. He has used this scandal to turn a profit; writing a book and appearing on Oprah. While I can't say with any certainty which side of this story is the true version, it is clear that McGreevy clearly has a motivation to distort the situation for his own benefit. It is also clear from the interview that Cipel and his version of events comes across as truly genuine.
-- Adam from Washington, D.C.

I think it was interesting to see his point of view, however, I also believe he thinks he is a good actor. There is no way this was harrassment. If he was so broken up about the harrassment, I would like to know if he cried all the to the bank when he accepted his paycheck every week. Especially for a position he was not qualified and also he never appeared at. So my question is, if he wants the people of New Jersey to believe him, then he should return all the state's money he received for this non-existent job he had accepted. Thank you.
-- Anonymous

McGreevey is a liar. He admits lying all through his youth and as an adult. His life was based on lies. Now, he wants us to believe him? I think Golan Cipel is one of his victims, and if the truth were know, there are probably many more. McGreevey would never have admitted he is a homosexual had Cipel not threatened him with a lawsuit. He now wants Cipel to pay for bringing down McGreevey's ivory tower. I actually feel sorry for Cipel.
-- Rohe from Houston

Cipel lies from beginning to end. He stuck with the governor for years, all the while declaring that a sexual relation never occurred. Cipal craved money. When he made his last move, he over-played his hand. Him innocent? What a scumbag he is.
-- H.C.

I couldn't care less.
-- David

You stated on the news last night that their has been no evidence of a consensual relationship between Mr. Cipel and Gov. McGreevey. There also is no evidence of sexual harassment. Be better than your lurid story and ask the tough questions. Why didn't Mr. Cipel go to the authorities or the press? Why did he stay on as an employee of the governor if he was so scarred by their encounter months earlier? How much money is he being paid to come forward now, almost 2 years after the fact of the governor's disclosure? I don't believe his story because I have been on the other side of that closet door, and his excuses and rationales about his relationship with a gay man seem all too familiar.
-- John


I think both of these pitiful men have lies mixed with little truth. The saddest part is that the people of N.J. have paid a price while McGreevey gets away with no punishment.
-- Mimi

He's a liar and upset he was dumped. His 15 minutes is over. Why would CBS lower themselves and waste time showing idiots like this? Why don't you start showing the brave military sending messages to their family for the upcoming holidays? Channel 5, O.J. and Cipel are two morons I would send to the front without weapons.
-- Anonymous

I can identify with Mr. Cipel. As a teenager I had to deal with many homosexuals that tried to harass me even though I am a straight heterosexual. I believe that most of these people are really very sick and society needs to treat them as such. What they practice is morally wrong, it is abusive, and it goes against not only God's laws but against any sane logic. God made us male and female. So a relationship between two men or two woman is abnormal. They have different organs different bodies, etc.

Mr. McGreevey is not only smart he is satanically wise. He is capitalizing on his horrific situation by making money by eliciting people's emotions. He doesn't care how many people he is really hurting, including many homosexuals who are in desperate need of good counselling or treatment to abandon that life of pain. Anyone that lives an abnormal life in any form contrary to God's laws whether is practicing homosexuality, extra marital affairs, defrauding people, lying, etc. is not living a healthy life.

Mr. McGreevey could never give his former wife or his children a good answer for doing what he does. It is extremely selfish inconsiderate and he will pay the consequences of his actions in this life. I believe Mr. Cipel, because I think that he was in a situation where Mr. McGreevey felt that he had the upper hand based on the position that he held as Governor of New Jersey. I feel very bad for Mr. Cipel and also for Mr. McGreevey for he is under the grips of Satan the devil the ruler of this Earth. Hopefully, some day he may come to really know God and acquire the accurate knowledge that He offers His people.
-- Luis

My comment: that's the worst acting I've seen since Ali MacGraw.
-- Henriette from Hartsdale, N.Y.

I think Mr. Cipel dropped his pants and now that he's been exposed he's trying to blame a man who told an honest story that Cipel never expected would surface. Reminds me of the guy who sleeps with another man after a few drinks and the next morning says, "Gee, I sure got drunk last night. I don't remember anything." That's my opinion of Mr. "I'm such a taken-advantage-of victim." That's just a lot of B.S.
-- Ray

To paraphrase from Shakespeare's Hamlet (III, ii, 239): "The gentleman doth protest too much, methinks."

-- Frank

Cipel is telling the truth, McGreevey lied about many things, not the least of which were his corrupt dealings with powerbrokers. Even the FBI could find no evidence of Golan Cipel's lying. It's time the press that believed the liar McGreevey over the truthful Golan Cipel helps to undo the damage done this young man. WCBS should be proud of its part in telling the truth to lies! Good for you!

My thoughts: liar, liar, pants on fire.

-- Anonymous

Greedy Cipel and Horny Jim McGreevey. First of all, if oneself knows that he is not qualified for a certain job and yet he accepted the job offer due to the attractive compensation, he is definitely a greedy person. Nothing comes free and handy in this world. There is a price to pay for almost everything in this modern world. Even though Cipel claimed that he was sexually harassed by Jim McGreevey, he did not report the case to the police immediately.

He kept that secret for 2 years. It was later when he was forced to resign from his position as a special counselor to the governor, he then decided to file a sex harassment lawsuit against him. If Cipel still has his high paying position as a counselor to the governor, do you think he will pursue that lawsuit? Do you think he will keep his mouth shut even though he claimed that he was sexually harassed by Jim McGreevey on two separate incidents?

If Cipel really wanted to pursue his case, why did he initially demand $50 million in exchange for his silence? Down to the bottom, Cipel is a greedy and unscrupulous person. Please do not get me wrong. I am not saying that Jim McGreevey is a noble and upright person. What I am saying is that it takes both hands to clap! Cipel is going after the money and Jim McGreevey is going after the sex. Fair exchange is no robbery. When Cipel realized that he lost his job and he wasn't getting what he want, he then decide to file a sex harassment lawsuit against Jim McGreevey to let out his anger and frustration. Both of them were planting their fruits and they deserved to get the fruits that they planted. It is simple as ABC.
-- Chris

Give me a break. He is a former Israeli soldier, he knows how to defend himself. He was totally unconvincing. The fake tears. If it happened as he said it did, then my sympathy goes out to him. I just don't believe him. I was wondering when and if he would return to the screen. It would have been a better story if McGreevy had been a Republican.
-- Tony

I think this guy cannot admit he is gay in his homeland. He is completely phony throughout the interview. If he is so straight and hurt, why would he demand hush money, which he does not mention of course. He has to clear his name for his country. Nothing wrong with a gay man -- but he cannot admit it. Total crap!
-- C. W.

The question the reporter should have asked was: If everything you say is true, then why did you continually accept favors and positions from the every same man that you were "shocked" acted this way?
-- Anonymous

Cipel is a Jewish closet queen.
-- Les

O.J. Brutally murdered his ex-wife and her friend and Cipel is telling the truth about the sexual harrassment from ex-Gov. McGreevey. I guess since its homosexual harrassment, it doesn't count in the eyes of gay activists, NOW, Democrats, Oprah, and their friends in the mainstream media. How would Oprah treat McGreevey if he came on her show because he had an extra-marrital affair with a woman instead of a man? According to CBS, it's a he-said, he-said. Wasn't that the case for former Senator Bob Packwood?
-- Doug from Broomfield, Colorado

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