The divorce of U.S Representative Alan Grayson from his estranged wife, Lolita Grayson, is a case in point in how high profile divorces can quickly escalate into public dog fights. Without experienced legal counsel guiding a client through the maze of issues that can arise, a former spouse and children can potentially feel the negative effects of the breakup for years.
Alan Grayson is the 17th richest member of the House of Representatives. His wife filed for divorce in January of last year. The couple, who married in 1990, has four children living at home with Mrs. Grayson in the 5,300 square foot family residence in Orlando, FL. Since the initial paperwork was filed, accusations have flown back and forth, with additional filings at every turn. Here is a list of what the parties have alleged against each other thus far:
- In March, Mrs. Grayson accused her husband of shoving her and requested a domestic injunction from the court. She was given a restraining order, but the Orange County Sheriff’s office stated that there was insufficient evidence to file charges. A video taken by one of Rep. Grayson’s staffers showed Mrs. Grayson pushing her husband.
- In April, Rep. Grayson filed papers alleging that Mrs. Grayson was previously married and was not yet divorced at the time of her marriage to him on April 28, 1990. Therefore, he claims, the marriage is bigamous and should be annulled. Attached to his filing was an alleged final divorce judgment for Lolita Grayson’s divorce from her purported previous husband — dated March 7, 1994. Grayson accused his estranged wife of fraud, unjust enrichment, misrepresentation, as well as defamation, slander, and libel stemming out of the March incident. In addition to asking for an annulment, the filing demands an accounting of all the money and property Mrs. Grayson has received and the establishment of a trust for the return of the money to Mr. Grayson. A hearing on the bigamy issue is scheduled for some time in November.
- In October, Mrs. Grayson filed court papers stating that Mr. Grayson had failed to pay for repairs to the family home. She alleged that the roof is leaking, windows are broken thereby allowing rain to get inside, and the house has mold problems as a result of the moisture. She also claimed he has cut off her credit cards, and she has no significant source of income from which to pay for repairs. Rep. Grayson’s attorney has responded that he is paying over $10,000 a month towards the mortgage, child support, household expenses, and utilities and that Mrs. Grayson’s poor housekeeping is her problem. A local reporter confirmed that the house septic tank was leaking in the front of the house and that the house was full of mold.
- Just prior to the November 4 election, the news broke that Grayson’s four children are allegedly on tax-funded food stamps and receive free lunches in the school program. Grayson’s attorney repeated that his client gives $10,000 a month in support and that Mrs. Grayson is abusing the public trust.
Although it is tempting at this point to say that it can’t get any worse, the fact is it very well could. For this reason, and this is especially true for high profile public figures, anyone who is contemplating a divorce or has been served with divorce papers should seek the advice of experienced legal counsel as soon as possible. Call the Law Offices of James S. Cunha, P.A. today at (561) 429-3924. Your finances, reputation, and future may depend on you getting the best advice available.
