Rep. Alan Grayon's bitter divorce battle with his estranged wife, Lolita, is getting some closure after a judge granted an annulment to end his 24-year marriage.
During a hearing March 9, Grayson claimed Lolita was married to another man when she and the multimillionaire congressman married in 1990.
Judge Bob LeBlanc granted the annulment after the two sides agreed to a settlement Tuesday.
It ends what has been a contentious breakup filled with allegations of abuse and bigamy.
After court Tuesday, the congressman smiled and even laughed, saying he was relieved. His wife declined to comment at her attorney’s request.
The annulment comes after Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) documents were filed with the court, showing Lolita was separated from her first husband.
They have never been able to show proof of a divorce, which is why Grayson claimed bigamy.
“You cannot be married to two people at the same time,” said Mark NeJame, the congressman’s attorney. “So I think with all the proof we brought forward, I think the judge acknowledged that by approving this annulment."
NeJame could not go into the details of the settlement, but said after court they were 90 percent finished.
Rep. Grayson is worth an estimated $31 million, but since the marriage will not be acknowledged by the court, he will not have to pay spousal support.
The couple has four children, which the congressman said he has and will continue to support them.
“I think a lot of people a lot of politicians would've avoided this,” NeJame said. “They would've cowered in fear. They would've tried to force a settlement early on. He is a man of principles.”
NeJame said they expected to be completely finished by day's end. He could not say whether the details of the public would be public, but believes there is no reason they wouldn’t be.