When it comes to celebrity divorces, don’t expect half measures. On top of claims of vodka-induced rages, emotional manipulation and husband-bashing, a new charge has been added in the multimillion-dollar spat between Liza Minnelli and her estranged husband: poisoning.
In rancorous proceedings Minnelli has accused the music producer David Gest of making her ”afraid for her life” during their 16 months of marriage.
The allegation is made in papers lodged with the New York supreme court, which has been grappling with this case for almost three years. The Cabaret star is said to be preparing to bat off Gest’s demand for $10-million in damages on grounds of emotional and physical abuse with the counter claim that he was drugging her.
Looking back to March 2002 you get a different picture of their union. Their wedding in Manhattan was described by one of the 1 500 guests as comparable to the opening of the World’s Fair.
Michael Jackson and his brothers were best men, Elizabeth Taylor and Mia Farrow bridesmaids. The wedding was Minnelli’s fourth, one behind her mother Judy Garland’s record. But it was shortlived, with separation announced in July 2003. Three months later Gest moved his civil action for damages, despite a pre-nuptial agreement signed days before the wedding. The suit alleged he had been so badly beaten by his wife — including one alcohol-fuelled attack in London — that he was left in ”virtually constant, unrelenting pain”. Minnelli denies the violence and claims he was an emotional manipulator.
Documents filed with the supreme court, reported in Monday’s New York Post, say Minnelli contests that she was ”afraid for her life” as a result of Gest drugging her with unspecified chemicals. Gest’s lawyer, Lawrence Omansky, said Minnelli’s defence team was preparing to argue that she was justified in her actions because of her fears for her own life.
A year ago the supreme court judge became so exasperated he ordered them to cut out the ”whining garbage”. He must brace himself to hear more when the next round of sniping opens in court on Friday.
New York city’s divorce laws are supposed to ensure the ”equitable” sharing of assets between couples in an attempt to take the sting out of separations.
”In Manhattan, unlike other parts of New York state, the courts try to adhere to a 50:50 split in assets acquired by the couple during the marriage,” New York lawyer Gilbert Balanoff said. ”That can be difficult as you have to work out what assets came before marriage and what were gained independently of the other party.”
For Gest and Minnelli there is a further complication: neither is known to have worked much during the 16 months of marriage and therefore have few assets to divide. That has prompted speculation that Gest’s civil action complaining of abuse is designed to increase the settlement, though neither Gest’s nor Minnelli’s lawyers were available for comment. – Guardian Unlimited Â