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When a couple decides to divorce, they file the paperwork and may hope that their relationship’s demise is never again the center of attention. Unfortunately for people in positions of authority, their divorce cases may become open to the public should they become involved in litigation. When this happens, one or both spouses may bear the brunt of the media and societal consequences.
Such is the lesson that a Michigan police chief and his ex-wife are learning. The Detroit police chief and his ex-wife’s divorce case has recently become the target of media reports after the police chief was accused of an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate. After separating in April and filing for divorce in August, it appears that the couple hoped that the divorce would remain private.
In light of the allegations against the police chief, his divorce case no longer has the privacy hoped for. The case against the police chief is being investigated, and he has been placed on suspension for 30 days to allow the investigative process to take its course. Though no further details were provided, reports state that the chief has been ordered to provide monetary support for his family. The couple was married for more than 20 years at the time of their divorce filing in August.
Cases like this one demonstrate how divorce can affect other areas of life. It is well known that the media flocks to celebrity stories and often seeks to report on salacious details, and the same can be said for public officials. This former Michigan couple now must face the fact that their marriage is being placed in the public eye. As they move forward through the divorce process, they may find that their representation has more to consider than the typical divorce case. The right advice can provide important support in negotiating a fair settlement while also keeping the court of public opinion in Michigan at bay.
Source: mlive.com, “Details of police chief’s divorce in court records,” Oct. 3, 2012