McGreevey Custody Battle Heats Up

Gay former Gov. Jim McGreevey is ramping up an increasingly contentious divorce from his estranged wife, suggesting she's homophobic and asking a court to bar her from dragging their 5-year-old daughter on tours to promote a much-anticipated tell-all.
In the latest motions detailing his demands for joint custody of the girl, Jacqueline, the former New Jersey governor asks a judge to ensure he's not cut off from her as a result of Dina Matos McGreevey's "seemingly irrational fears" about his sexuality.
He also puts his foot down on Jacqueline tagging along with Matos McGreevey on tours for her memoir, "Silent Partner."
According to the motion, Jacqueline has already been to the set of "Good Morning America" and in Kelly Ripa's dressing room on the set of "Live with Regis and Kelly," and joined Matos McGreevey and Diane Sawyer at a meeting.
Mirroring McGreevey's own launch last year of his memoir, Matos McGreevey is set for an interview about her book with Oprah Winfrey on May 1.
The latest motions illustrate the ugly chasm widening between the one-time power couple.
When McGreevey filed for divorce in February, he said custody issues had been resolved.
When Matos McGreevey publicly denied any such agreement, McGreevey promptly filed a revised complaint seeking custody and child support.
The latest motions don't address the issue of support.
Matos McGreevey - who, appearing stunned, stood beside her husband as he announced to the world in August 2004 that he was gay and had had an adulterous affair with a man - last Wednesday asked Union County Superior Court to give her a one-month extension to respond to her husband's divorce filing.
"Dina and I both seek to serve the interests of our daughter," McGreevey said yesterday. "It is my hope the court would provide for an added measure of balance and nurturing of Jacqueline's interests."
McGreevey also claimed Matos McGreevey, who has primary custody, has kept him in the dark about the child's medical tests and absences from preschool.
He also groused about artwork in their home, demanding that one nude photograph be removed.
McGreevey seeks overnight parenting time with his daughter on some weekdays and weekends, and wants to share in parental decision-making.
In addition, he wants to take Jacqueline to Australia, where his partner Mark O'Donnell's parents live, and to continue to teach her to swim in the pool at the home he shares with O'Donnell.
A lawyer for Matos McGreevey didn't return phone or e-mail messages for comment.
from The New York Post