McGreevey Avoids
Spotlight
By JOHN CURRAN, AP
from nynewsday.com on the Web, July 31, 2005
RAHWAY, N.J. -- A year after
his life imploded in scandal, former New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey lives in
self-imposed exile, avoiding the limelight he spent a lifetime chasing.
Separated from the wife he betrayed, McGreevey lives modestly in a one-bedroom
apartment. He takes his 3-year-old daughter out for bacon and eggs after
Sunday church services, walks to a corner newsstand for coffee and newspapers
and stops to chat when passers-by recognize him.
It's a long way from the stately governor's mansion and the spotlight that shone
on his soul-baring confession. With wife Dina Matos McGreevey at his side,
his mother and father standing behind him, McGreevey confessed to an
extramarital affair with a man and announced his resignation on Aug. 12, 2004.
"My truth is that I am a gay American," he said in a nationally televised
speech.
McGreevey, 47, disappeared from public view after ducking reporters at the few
public appearances he made in his final months as governor.
As citizen McGreevey, he has stayed silent and did not respond to requests for
comment for this story.
Friends say he is coping fine, but is still saddled with the baggage of his
messy public downfall over the revelation that he put Golan Cipel -- the man
identified by McGreevey administration officials as his lover -- into a
$110,000-a-year homeland security job for which he wasn't qualified.
"I'm sure he's had some tough moments, but he's always managed to pull through,"
said Rahway Mayor James Kennedy, a longtime friend who still sees the McGreeveys
-- separately -- socially.
"Jim's an incredibly bright guy. I've known him since 1982, and having
known him that long, I can tell you he's a resilient guy. He just went
through a very traumatic experience. He's handling things very well."
McGreevey's wife bought a three-bedroom house in Springfield where she lives
with the couple's daughter, Jacqueline. Neither has filed for divorce.
She is a public relations executive with Columbus Hospital Foundation in Newark
McGreevey found work in the law firm of a longtime ally, state Sen. Raymond
Lesniak, but resigned after conflict-of-interest allegations were raised about
his work on the $1.3 billion Xanadu entertainment and retail complex under
construction at the Meadowlands, which he had championed as governor.
Now he is looking for options outside the state to avoid similar controversies,
said friend George Zoffinger, chairman of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition
Authority.
"No matter what he does in New Jersey, it's always going to come under
scrutiny," Zoffinger said.
He has received offers of work from nonprofit organizations involved in public
service, according to Lesniak, who said an announcement having to do with
McGreevey's future was imminent.
"There will certainly be not-for-profits that would not want to associate
themselves with him because they don't want the notoriety," said Julie Goldberg,
an executive recruiter. "There are others that may feel that the merits
(of his case) were tried more in the public domain than anywhere and that he has
a demonstrable track record of making solid relationships and getting things
done."
Lesniak insists McGreevey is not seen as damaged goods.
"To the contrary," Lesniak said. "He's a national figure. He is
well-known, he has expertise and he's well-regarded, for the most part.
And admired. ... People want to talk to him, want to hear from him, just like
you do. We get calls for him all the time."
For now, McGreevey spends time with Jacqueline and his other daughter, Morag,
from his first marriage, as well as his sister and his parents.
"He's doing well," said McGreevey's father, former U.S. Marine Corps drill
instructor Jack McGreevey, who would not elaborate or answer questions about his
son's life since leaving office. "He's fine and dandy."
McGreevey, a tireless campaigner when he was in politics, still shows signs of
that outgoing demeanor. He's often chatty when he shows up at a corner
newsstand to buy coffee and two newspapers, according to one merchant.
"I keep it short," said Bob Patel, who works the counter. "He wants to
talk but I'm busy in the morning."
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