Brinkley settles custody battle
Christie Brinkleys very public and very bitter divorce trial came to an abrupt end when lawyers for the former supermodel and her fourth husband reached an out-of-court settlement that gives her custody of their two children.The settlement was apparently agreed at around 6:00 a.m. following an all-night session that resolved all issues between Brinkley and her estranged husband Peter Cook, Brinkleys lawyer informed the court of the settlement.It was agreed Brinkley would give Cook $2.1 million but keep the 18 properties in the Hamptons that were at the centre of the dispute. Cook will get visitation rights time with the children, under an agreement. Brinkley's lawyer added that the remainder of the settlement was to remain confidential.Ms Brinkley told the waiting press that it was a very bittersweet moment because it really was the death of a marriage, adding she was very pleased with the results as her fight was for custody. Brinkley had been married to Cook for a ten years before his affair with a teenager he met in a Southampton toy store turned the spotlight on their troubles in 2006.The trial, which was in its sixth day, revealed a list of unsavoury allegations about Cooks affair with Diana Bianchi.Despite a prenuptial agreement, the couple still managed to battle court over child custody and over properties Cook advised Brinkley to buy in the Hamptons.The couple have a daughter, Sailor, 10. while Cook adopted Brinkleys 13-year-old son Jack, whom she had with her third husband, Richard Taubman.
Under the settlement, Cook will see the children every other weekend and on Wednesday nights, an arrangement that has been in place for some time. The childrens attorney, Theresa Mari, said Thursday that both parents had worked very hard to do this in the best interest of the children.
Brinkley and her attorneys contended that Cooks admitted adultery and pornographic proclivities made him an unsuitable candidate for child custody.
Herman said during the trial that Brinkley needs to examine her taste in men and that Cook is a narcissist with a bottomless ego.
Cooks lawyer, Norman Sheresky, repeatedly accused Brinkley of seeking to "publicly flog" her husband, noting that she had supported keeping the trial open to the public.
Brinkleys first marriage was to artist Jean-Francois Allaux, as well as a daughter, Alexa Ray Joel from her marriage to singer Billy Joel. Alexa Ray testified during the trial that Cook picked on her and once shoved her head into a bucket of water after she showered too long and caused a plumbing problem; a charge Cook denied.
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