Nevada first lady wants divorce proceedings made public

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons succeeded in getting a judge to seal his divorce proceedings from the public, but first lady Dawn Gibbons is challenging that order.

In her motion Wednesday, Dawn Gibbons accused the first-term Republican governor of relying on an unconstitutional state law to close the divorce files, in an attempt to hide his involvement with another woman from his constituents.  

Attorney Cal Dunlap, representing Dawn Gibbons, argued that his client had a right to make public the conduct of elected officials, but that under the state law Carson City District Judge Bill Maddox relied upon in sealing the divorce, she has no recourse against this “covert judicial action.”

Dunlap said the law violates both the U.S. Constitution and the Nevada Constitution. The governor, who cited “incompatibility” as grounds for divorcing his wife of 22 years, has denied having a girlfriend and contends that the unnamed wife of a Reno doctor has been a platonic friend for more than 15 years.