Governor hopes to settle with wife

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Jim Gibbons said Tuesday he hopes to reach agreement with his estranged wife today on property division and other matters in a settlement conference that could lead to the end of their 23-year marriage.

The governor and his wife, Dawn, are scheduled to meet privately today in Reno for three hours with Washoe County District Judge Frances Doherty and their lawyers in a settlement conference. If they do not reach agreement, then Doherty could schedule a divorce hearing late this year. That hearing would be open to the public.

"I am hopeful," said the governor about reaching a settlement today.

Dawn Gibbons, contacted by phone Tuesday, said her attorney advised her not to talk publicly about the settlement or the pending divorce.

A source said Jim Gibbons might push for a settlement to avoid a public divorce that would be covered by the news media.

No governor in Nevada history has been divorced while in office. Several governors divorced their wives, including Paul Laxalt and Robert List, after their terms ended.

"I don't think any divorce should be public because of the impact on both sides, the family and the children," Jim Gibbons said. "Some in the media don't care about that."

Dawn and Jim Gibbons have one adult son. The governor has two adult children from a previous marriage.

There are stumbling blocks that could hold up any divorce agreement. The couple's ranch-style home on 2.5 acres in southwest Reno has not sold for the $1.1 million asking price. They originally listed the home for $1.5 million.

Also, the governor does not want to sell the 20 acres of land he bought in 2007 in Lamoille, 20 miles south of Elko, for $575,000.

Besides dividing assets, Dawn Gibbons, who does not work, wants continuing financial support. She formerly owned a flower shop and a wedding chapel, served as a consultant and spent four terms as a member of the Assembly. She now receives $2,176 per month from her husband.

Although the governor filed for divorce in May 2, 2008, Dawn Gibbons continues to perform the duties of first lady. She lives in an apartment next to the Governor's Mansion on the mansion property.

While the governor lives on the second floor of the mansion, Dawn Gibbons can use the first floor for public events.

In divorce documents opened to public inspection earlier this year, the first lady said she was "devastated" by the divorce and felt like a "castaway wife."

She said that she stood by Gibbons in 2006 after he was accused of assaulting a woman in Las Vegas during the governor's race.

Chrissy Mazzeo, a former cocktail waitress, filed a lawsuit against Jim Gibbons over the incident. She alleged he walked her to a parking garage and tried to assault her. He said he tried to keep Mazzeo from falling.

The Clark County district attorney's office investigated the incident and did not file charges.

Dawn Gibbons has accused her husband of having affairs with two married Reno women. He denied her allegations.

Contact reporter Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.