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A little catch-up on your Dodger dog? Pt II: Divorce (Mc)Court
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Today a Los Angeles Superior Court commissioner denied Jamie McCourt's bid for reinstatement as CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers the Los Angeles Times reports.
Neither Frank nor Jamie McCourt were at the hearing, but each of their legal teams were well represented.
Mr. McCourt's lawyers maintain their contention that the sole owner of the L.A. Dodgers is Frank McCourt, and that most importantly Major League Baseball also recognizes him in this role. In this role Frank has the legal basis as chairman of an "at-will" company to fire an employee with or without cause.
Her lawyers cited today and will continue the theme going forward that Jamie should have marital rights to the assets of the marriage including the Dodgers and any management positions therein.
Regarding the issue of team ownership, Frank McCourt filed papers recently with the court asserting that his 2004 marital property agreement will clearly reflect a division of the assets between Jamie and himself; you guessed it - Jamie signed away the Dodgers to Frank. One of Jamie McCourt's lawyers, Bertram Fields, asserted on KNX 1070 news today that the court will find that with respect to that 2004 agreement, Frank McCourt was trying to bully Jamie into an ownership split that was counter her legal interests. This defense may be challenged since Mrs. McCourt is an attorney, has practiced law, including family law, for 15 years, and should be the one who could bully someone legally.
The whole thing allegedly started on or around the couples separation which is publicly stated as happening in July 2009. Frank asserts that his wife of 30 years was carrying on an affair with a person who we now know as a Mr. Jeff Fuller. Mr. Fuller held titles vis a vis Jamie of "driver", "bodyguard" and "Director of Protocol", whatever that means. Mrs. McCourt maintained the affair while holding her role as CEO, and per Frank and other senior Dodger management engaged in inappropriate behavior including taking a two week trip to Europe on company funds.
The public learned of the separation via the L.A. Times during the NLDS when Jamie was spotted seated away from Frank at games. The day before game 5 of the NLCS, Jamie was fired as CEO, and the focus quickly shifted - with the help of the Dodgers' elimination - to the embattled couple.
Less than a week later, Mrs. McCourt filed for divorce, asking that she get a split of the Dodgers ownership not too mention some hefty loot from her soon-to-be-Ex. Per her publicly filed petition, she is requesting $320,967 per month if she gets her job reinstated and $487,634 a month if she cannot regain her position.
The McCourts are not well known for dishing out money they have to get the players needed to go all the way. Case in point is the failure to sign ace starting pitchers Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia, who carried both eventual world series teams. They also get poor reviews when it comes to developing their minor league and international farm systems to continue the proud legacy of the Dodgers.
Bottom line - - this divorce path, littered with legal fees and spousal pay-offs, will certainly not help.
The next major scene of our novela will take place December 15th when the spousal support hearing begins. Set your DVRs and strap in your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
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