$265,000 hinders Gibbonses’ effort to split
AP Photo/Marilyn Newton, The Gazette-Journal
Gov. Jim Gibbons gets a smile on his face just before answering whether he thought the settlement in his divorce case was equitable during a court hearing in Reno on Monday Dec. 28, 2009, regarding his divorce from Dawn Gibbons. After the smile he told the judge he did think it was fair.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 | 3:05 p.m.
Jim Gibbons, then a congressman, and his wife, Dawn, arrive for a rally in 2006 at his campaign headquarters in Las Vegas.
Sun Archives
- How even is the Gibbonses’ split? (12-29-2008)
- Gov. Gibbons, first lady, reach divorce settlement (12-28-2008)
- Dawn Gibbons' story: First lady talks about divorce, humiliation, fears (12-6-2009)
- Gov. Jim Gibbons says divorce is on (12-18-2009)
- Gibbons not living at the Mansion (4-26-2008)
- Gibbons: no decision on personal life (3-10-2008)
- Fallout feared if Gibbonses split up (2-29-2008)
- More questions raised about Gibbons (3-31-2007)
CARSON CITY – Gov. Jim Gibbons and his estranged wife, Dawn, signed their divorce settlement papers Dec. 28, but a $265,000 hitch has developed.
The case might be headed back to family court in Reno.
The $265,000 is half of the estimated value of property the couple owns in Elko County. Cal Dunlap, attorney for Dawn, says the agreement calls for the money to be paid to her within 60 days after Dec. 28. Dawn says she hadn't received any of the money by the end of February.
Dunlap said there will be no divorce decree until the money is paid. Gary Silverman, attorney for the governor, didn't return calls seeking comment.
Gibbons said he doesn't have the money. He maintains the payment is due only after the property is sold.
“I am trying to sell it,” Gibbons said. “I’ve talked to a number of people.” But he said their bankers have advised against buying vacant land now.
In addition to the problem in selling the property in Lamoille, the governor said he is trying to refinance his home in Reno. He had it on the market, but nothing developed.
Dawn has rented an apartment in Las Vegas. Dunlap said she can still stay in the apartment adjacent to the governor’s mansion in Carson City.
There must be a 10-day notice before she can be evicted, and Gibbons said he hasn't signed that notice.