No alimony for you!
That’s what a New Jersey divorce court judge told Dina Matos in a decision handed down yesterday in her bitter marital split from former Gov. Jim McGreevey.
Matos – who had asked for a nearly $1 million payout from the shamed “gay American” pol – walked away with $109,295, and child support for their 6-year-old daughter, Jacqueline.
Matos’ requests for a part of the proceeds of McGreevey’s 2006 memoir – as well as a portion of the $1.46 million she claimed he could make in “celebrity good will” through lectures and other gigs – were also denied.
Calling Matos’ expenses and lifestyle “clearly excessive,” Union County Family Court Judge Karen Cassidy batted down the former first lady’s request for $2,500 a month in alimony.
“[McGreevey] shall not have any alimony obligation,” Cassidy wrote in a 55-page ruling.
“That’s what I’m talkin’ about!” McGreevey’s lawyer, Stephen Haller, said, leaping from his chair as the decision was posted.
“It’s hard to imagine a more favorable ruling for Jim McGreevey’s position. There’s no piece of this that’s not a victory for us.”
Cassidy soundly rejected Matos’ claims that she should be compensated for the perks – including housekeepers, a secretary, drivers, cooks and clothing allowances – she lost when her husband resigned in 2004, admitting an affair with a male aide.
The wife’s amenities, the judge ruled, were “inherently temporary.”
Further, since they were married just 4 1/2 years, Cassidy wrote, “Mrs. McGreevey was not with Mr. McGreevey long enough to be entitled to continue that lifestyle.”
Cassidy did find that McGreevey – who is in seminary school and says he makes $48,000 a year – is “underemployed,” but has a rich boyfriend in financier Mark O’Donnell.
The judge estimated that with his background and education, McGreevey could be making $175,000 a year. She based child support on that sum, coupled with the $82,000 a year she said Matos is capable of earning.
Cassidy ordered McGreevey to shell out $1,075 a month in child support. Matos – who has agreed to split custody of Jacqueline – had asked for $1,750 a month.
Cassidy noted that, thanks to O’Donnell’s wallet, Jacqueline’s lifestyle with the two men is replete with “lavish parties, proposed vacations to Europe and Australia, and her own fully decorated room and bathroom.”
The perks of his lifestyle played into Cassidy’s decision on child support – McGreevey had been paying $1,200 a month prior to the ruling.
Also in the ruling, the judge ordered McGreevey to give his ex wife a total $109,295 – representing a 50-50 split of investment and bank accounts.
Half an hour before the ruling came out, Matos issued a statement stating the case has caused her and her daughter “pain,” and saying she would not comment further.
McGreevey declined comment.