ELIZABETH, N.J. — The estranged wife of New Jersey’s gay former governor took the stand in their bitter divorce trial Wednesday, saying she depleted her savings to pay for their $30,000 wedding and reluctantly agreed to add dozens of his political cronies to the guest list.
Dina Matos McGreevey painted a picture of herself as a dutiful and supportive spouse who devoted herself to James McGreevey’s goal of being elected governor.
“Once we became engaged, I was a full partner,” said Matos McGreevey, who testified for about an hour and was to return to the witness stand today.
The McGreeveys wed in 2000, but their marriage unraveled after he proclaimed himself “a gay American” in 2004, announced he had had an affair with a male staffer and resigned as governor.
Matos McGreevey, 41, wants compensation for losing out on the perks of his job — state police transportation, a 2 4/7 security detail, a household staff and use of two beach houses — because he resigned 13 months shy of completing his first term.
The couple earlier agreed on custody of their only child, 6-year-old Jacqueline, but their arrangement remains under seal. The Associated Press
