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May 30, 2008

Matos McGreevey grilled over lifestyle at divorce trial

Posted: 09:48 AM ET

ELIZABETH, New Jersey–For the entire day Thursday, Dina Matos McGreevey – the estranged wife of former New Jersey governor James McGreevey – testified about her experiences as the state’s first lady, and her eventual breakup with the husband who proclaimed himself a “gay American” on national television as his wife stood by.

During her direct testimony, Matos McGreevey calmly explained the changes in her lifestyle since her husband was forced to resign his office. But later in the day, she turned combative, during a contentious cross-examination. That cross will continue on today, after which the defense is likely to rest its case.

At this point, it appears that this phase of the McGreevey divorce trial will wrap up sometime next week. After that, it may be weeks before Judge Karen Cassidy issues her ruling in the matter.

–In Session staff

Filed under: Trials


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TERRI   May 30th, 2008 9:54 am ET

WATCHING THIS TRIAL I AM EMBARRASSED AS A 4TH GENERATION NEW JERSEY RESIDENT THAT WE AS NJIANS ELCETED JIME MCGREEVEY. TO ME HE SOUNDS LIKE NOTHING BUT THE TYPICAL DEA BEAT DAD. IF HE HAS NOT PAID ANY CHILD SUPPORT TO HIS FIRST WIFE WHY IS HE NOT SITTING BEHIND BARS WITH ALL OF THE OTHER DEADBEATS.

Jane in Arkansas   May 30th, 2008 10:04 am ET

I side with the children. Ms. Matos wants everything her husband has but his name, it seems. Her demands are ridiculous and I wouldn't mind seeing her billed for his legal fees in fighting her ridiculous "gubernatorial lifestyle" claims.

Betty Block   May 30th, 2008 11:49 am ET

Mr. Haller's mean-spirited assault and snide comments about Ms. Matos' requests are not helping Mr. McGreevey's case, for example when she referred to herself as the "first lady" he snorted and laughed. . . . I can empathize with her feelings of emotional abandonment, humiliation, and desire to be compensated by her former husband. He claims to have "no interest in money" but it seems he doesn't have to. He is living with a millionaire in a mansion and is going back to school! I don't think the judge should give him the luxury of starting a new career when his earning potential as a lawyer is much greater than her potential.

Gigi   May 30th, 2008 12:50 pm ET

Why do our elected officials get to live like royalty? I am sick to my stomach....they have 3 maids, chofers, suvs w/drivers, chefs. We can barely keep food on the table and now put gas in our 10 year old car. What has happened, why can't they live in a house like we do. The whole system is so effed up, Senators, Congressman, Governers living like kings, being chofered in limo's AND MANSIONS!......that is so wrong, we the people need to take back the goverment (this is not about Bush) they ALL DO THIS AND FRANKLY I DO NOT FEEL BAD FOR THE MCGREEVEY FAMILY. GET A REGULAR JOB, GET A REGULAR HOUSE AND LIVE THE WAY WE POOR PEOPLE DO! GET OVER IT AND THEY CONTINUE TO WASTE TAX PAYER DOLLARS FOR THIS STUPID LAW SUIT. GIVE ME A BREAK. THEY MAKE ME SICK!

Carmen   May 30th, 2008 2:31 pm ET

Hellar is the mouth for the ex homosexual gobernor of N.J. he can not be as sarcastic y many times cruel without his clients o.k.
Ms. Matos worked all her life and helped and his political ambitions, he dosent care about money? because first Ms Matos paid bills and now his sugar daddy.
Shame on him an his lawyer that can not stop with the cameras.
This is the diference between class and money.

robin sonnier   May 30th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

Jim McGreevey is almost like a dead beat father that does not want to work to keep from paying his ex- wife or his child. He likes to live high on a hog, but his family does not matter. Jim, get a job and take care of your responsibilities. Jim, you are a disgrace to the government and now you want to be a priest? You can't be a priest and be gay! Read the bible and it will tell you that it is an abomination.

Robin
in Texas

Misty M   May 30th, 2008 3:23 pm ET

He can claim to be poor & only wants to work at a job HE enjoys, but honestly we all know he's trying to side-step his responsibilities. Leave her alone. Most of us SINGLE Moms are in the exact same spot that 'CREEPY' McGreevey is placing his 'Family' in! Refuse to work & claim indigent (Minimum Wage-Only) & shurk paying anything! How could you guys put up a msg with a MAN saying he wanted to SLAP her Face? Come on! Poor Jacqueline.

Sue   May 30th, 2008 8:02 pm ET

I find it truly devastating that Mrs. McGreevey is being persecuted by
lawyers who don't acknowledge that Mr. McGreevy is a sex pervert who deceived his wife, child, entire family, community and the people he pretended he was protecting as a politician. Really we was secretly commiting sexual perverted acts and lying and collecting money for a job he was undoing while breaking all laws he was supposed to be upholding. He is a pervert and a disgrace to this nation and should be in jail instead of attcking a poor woman who was put in a disgraceful position by this liar, cheater and spending money on his sex partners. He was using citizens money to entertain his outrageous sex life.

Andrea   May 31st, 2008 8:43 am ET

The ex Governor on N.J. is the lowest worm that exists, he is studing to be a Pastor? selfish, amoral, liar, he lied to his wife that married for love, had her pay for almost everything that his Party or N.J did not pay, now he lives in Mansion with a boyfriend that got a well paying job thanks to McGreevey connections.
His wife had to borrow money to get a home, an old one with no laundry facilities, Ms. Matos works since she was 13! Mc Greevey gives a poor imagen of married gays that come out and would not face their responsabilities.
His Lawyer can not stop his love affair with cameras and insults Ms. Matos any time and any way, shame on you!

JDP   June 1st, 2008 4:11 am ET

His lawery is a jerk and so is he . Let his rich love boy pay his wife.

Lisa   June 1st, 2008 1:34 pm ET

The McGreevey trial demonstrates the attitude that is causing the decline in our American culture. Selfishness. His claims to want to "do good" were questionable last week. This week, his muffled laugh held back with his hand, show that he really just wants to stick it to Dina Matos. Originally, I thought she was the selfish one, but they are two of a kind. I don't envy Judge Karen having to dig through this trash, in an attempt to protect a young child for life. Just because they settled the custody dispute prior to coming before the judge doesn't mean that this garbage that we are seeing now won't leave marks on her life. Both of them should rethink their real positions in this world, tuck their tails and run AWAY and be ashamed of their behaviors. I am.

ed murtha   June 2nd, 2008 9:38 am ET

she does not need 50,000 dollars a month. she married a bum, it happens to lots of us. she needs to go to work, forget this guy. she's a young woman..if she gets a dime from him it would be a miracle.

ANNOYED BY IDIOTS   August 11th, 2008 9:22 am ET

a seminary student....HE IS A GROWN MAN, that should be looking for a real job to take care of his responsibilities.....he lacks morals and what it really means to do the right thing so seminary is not for him...what a total dweeb, he wants a man to take care of him and but he refuses to take care of his children.... his ex-wife should not get bashed in any way for his stupidity, this idiot violated her trust and victimized her emotionally and psychologically. We should pray for his kids.

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