First lady seeks to unseal case

CARSON CITY -- First lady Dawn Gibbons' lawyer said Friday that he will file a motion in Washoe County Family Court next week to open sealed records and require the divorce case of Gov. Jim Gibbons to be conducted in public.

"We will seek a court determination that the files should not be sealed and that all proceedings should be open," said Cal Dunlap, a former Washoe County district attorney.

"I believe the statutes as they apply to public officials are unconstitutional. In my view, the public has a right to know," he said.

When the governor filed for divorce May 2, his lawyer, Gary Silverman of Reno, requested the sealing of most records in the case. A judge approved the motion.

Dunlap also filed documents on Thursday for a detailed explanation from the governor on why he wants a divorce.

Dunlap insisted the governor provide a "bill of particulars" on the cause of the divorce and "a more definite statement with regard to the governor's claims of incompatibility."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.