Florida Rep. Alan Grayson on Split from Wife: 'Gold Diggers Gotta Dig'

The divorce proceedings between Florida Congressman Alan Grayson and his estranged wife Lolita, once delayed by a leaky breast implant, continue to be understated and mutually respectful. Grayson, one of the richest men in Congress, paused on his way into court to tell a TV reporter, “Gold diggers gotta dig.”

The congressman is seeking an annulment of the couple’s 24-year marriage, arguing that Lolita is guilty of bigamy. He claims that she was married already when they were wed and that she only divorced four years into their marriage. In early April, the Orlando Sentinel reported that the couple had reached an annulment deal, which fell apart at the last minute.

Grayson issued a brief statement to WFTV as he walked into the courthouse. “I’ll sum it up for you. Gold diggers gotta dig. That’s all I gotta say,” Grayson told the station. “We had an agreement. She’s trying to renege.”

WFTV reports that Alan signed the annulment agreement but Lolita did not. Grayson, a Democrat who’s railed against corporate greed and Mitt Romney’s “offshore tax havens” while evidently keeping a few offshore tax havens of his own, is worth an estimated $31 million. An annulment wouldn’t require him to pay alimony or, as the Sentinel pointed out, force the couple to equally divide the assets of the marriage. There’s no special statute governing annulments in Florida law, and they’re exceedingly rare: according to the Florida Department of Health, 177 annulments were granted in 2013, versus more than 80,000 divorces.

Lolita Grayson has previously accused her estranged husband of domestic abuse, accusing him of shoving her hard enough to leave bruises. In October, WFTV report that Lolita Grayson and the couple’s five children were living on public assistance. She told reporter Karla Ray she had “no money at all.” Ray reported seeing a septic leak in the home and extensive mold in the house. Alan Grayson’s attorney accused Lolita of welfare fraud, saying she didn’t disclose on her application that Grayson was paying the rent and utilities on the family home, at a cost of around $10,000 a month. The attorney, Mark Nejame, said Lolit was “abusing the public” and called Lolita an “untruthful person” and “vindictive.”

Because of the bigamy claim, Grayson also isn’t paying spousal support during this extended bout of legal wrangling. In court filings in April of last year, Grayson accused Lolita of defamation over the abuse claims. He also demanded custody of their children, exclusive use of the couple’s home and seven cars, and for her to pay his attorney fees.

Image via AP