Political Wives, Why Stand By Your Man (at the Press Conference)?

12 Mar

Filed Under Eliot Spitzer, Divorce | 2 Comments

We just watched the latest political wife stand by her man at a national press conference as he announces his infidelity, betrayal of marriage vows and violation of public trust. When Silda Spitzer positioned herself next to her husband, Governor Eliot Spitzer, at the podium with her defeated, somber expression, sympathetic glances at her disappointing spouse, and staged body language implying “we are still one,” it made me wince. The message was, as usual, “You wronged me, humiliated me, destroyed my family and my life, but I want all your constituents to know that your family will not abandon you.” The event was contrived, as they always are, and every time we have the misfortune of witnessing reckless, selfish politician announce their requisite mea culpas with their wives at their side, the women seem to suffer twice as much. First they endure the devastation of the initial private family revelation behind closed doors. Then the second round of bruising humiliation, this one for the entire world to see.

The last press conference I vividly remember feeling mortified over was attended by Dina Matos McGreevey. She stood by her husband, New Jersey Governor James McGreevey, when he announced to the world that he was a “Gay American” who had an inappropriate relationship while in office. Watching Dina’s frozen smile and deer in the headlights expression, you could not help but feel her pain. But having the wife at the conference doesn’t help the politician. It just makes him look more like a dog for making her suffer again. For Silda and Dina and all the other wives who endured a scripted spectacle, now hear this: There’s a better way to weather this storm— Don’t show up!
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The ‘Lady’ Hits a Divorce Court Jackpot

26 Feb

Filed Under Paul McCartney, Divorce | Leave a Comment

A four year marriage and a predicted $108 million settlement. That’s what Heather Mills, aka Lady McCartney, is expected to walk away with after a week in divorce court. Only in Britain can a failed marriage to a billionare lead to such a large jackpot in such a short amount of time.

In my divorce guidebook for women, He Had It Coming: How to Outsmart Your Husband and Win Your Divorce, I warn all short-term brides to be realisitic — don’t expect to cash in on your failed marriage if you haven’t been in the game long enough to aquire joint marital assets. But apparently in England, the courts have a different take on marriage and money. Between $5 million dollars a year in child support until their daughter is 18 (Heather andf Paul share a daughter, 4-year-old Beatrice) and the rest made up in settlement money, Heather’s jJob” as Mrs. Paul McCartney will likely have netted her approximately $27 million a year.

For a wife who handled her divorce completely wrong, Heather will nonetheless clean up in divorce court. British courts are known to dole out extremely generous divorce settlements. But I am convinced that a short-term marriage McCartney-like divorce settlement never would have happened here in America. Stateside, our courts rely on the principles of equity and fairness to divide assets, examining an array of factors such as the earning capacity of the spouses, contributions to the marriage, and the value of assets. So if you are in the midst of divorce or contemplating ending your marriage, don’t look to Heather Mills as an example of how to behave in divorce court. Her success occurred only because she is lucky enough to live under the Queen’s rule.

By Stacy Schneider

Weekly Arraignment

25 Jan

Filed Under Political Justice, Don Imus, Drug Possession, Britney Spears, Balco Case, Heath Ledger, Hip Hop Artists | Leave a Comment

Britney accused of selling baby pictures to papparazzi, but Denise Richards has a green light to star Charlie Sheen’s daughters on reality TV.
Barry Bonds seeks to trim five count indictment (four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice), claiming prosecutor’s questions were harder to follow than a Roger Clemens curve ball.
Don Imus sued by advertiser for tasteless Gerry Ford quip and Jessica Simpson is not OK with OK!, but Perez Hilton can say whatever he wants.
Rapper Lil’ Wayne arrested for hauling cocaine and ecstasy across the border while Busta Rhymes pleads guilty to four assault and DUI charges.
Heath Ledger’s $20 bill was not a blow stick, his sleeping pills and psych meds were all prescribed– some in Europe, and no faul play likely associated with the four calls placed to Mary-Kate nine minutes before first call to 911 but masseuse Diane Lee Wol may face felony charges for practicing without a license and Mary-Kate still needs to talk with police.
City mayors need to be careful who and what they text message.

Not quite the Hilton.

11 May

Filed Under Paris Hilton, DWI | Leave a Comment

Paris Hilton Century Regional Detention Center Paris Hilton will be enjoying three low sodium poultry-based meals a day at the Los Angeles Century Regional Detention Center: a hard-boiled egg, bowl of cold cereal and small carton of milk each monring; baloney and bread with either mustard or mayonnaise and an ocassional apple and watered down juice for lunch; and a hot meal for dinner. Though there will be no television to accompany the one sheet and wool blanker in her room, she will be able to enjoy an hour of television in the day room and outdoor recreation along with a five minute group shower each day. Also included in with her room and board are two pairs of socks, one bra, two pairs of panties and two blue jumpsuits which are exchanged for fresh ones each week.

Said by it’s warden to be a “very nice place,” the Century will be Paris’s home starting June 5th on account of violating her probation for pleading guilty to drunk driving. She may not get to enjoy all 45 days of her sentence, however. Even if Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn’t issue a pardon for the hotel heiress, overcrowding in LA County jails results in many offenders serving less than 10% of their sentences. And state law provides credit for time served for good bahvior. For example, ABC “Lost” actress Michelle Rodriguez served only one day of a 60 day sentence for a probation violation last year.

Those seeking to send correspondence or spend time with Ms. Hilton through a glass wall can view the establishment’s visitng hours here.

Purp March

02 Apr

Filed Under Celebrity Justice, Running Blotter | Leave a Comment

March, 2007 saw the following stars in trouble with the law:

Former child star Brian Bonsall, who played Andy Keaton on ‘Family Ties,’ arrested March 28 for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.

Mary Weiland, wife of Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland, arrested March 26 for setting fire to $10,000 of her husband’s wardrobe.

Forty eight vials of illegal human growth hormone were found among Sylvester Stallone’s baggage at an airport in Australia.

Bobby Brown, soon-to-be ex-husband of Whitney Houston, was arrested for failing to appear at a child support hearing in October.

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