Brinkley Divorce Trial May Not Be Pretty

(CBS)  The divorce proceedings between Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook haven't even started yet and already it's gotten ugly.

The 54-year-old former supermodel filed for divorce two years ago after finding out that Cook, 49, had an affair with his teenage assistant. He paid this young woman - who was 18 when she went to work for him - $300,000 to keep quiet.

Now there's word the assistant may testify, and if she does, Cook's lawyer might use a simple strategy.

"His side can just simply prepare by saying, 'yes, we had the affair. There's no reason to get into it'" said CBS News Legal Analyst Lisa Bloom. "Christie Brinkley's out for blood. She wants this to be made public. She wants every detail to be out there in the public forum."

In fact, the assistant's story might even help Cook's case.

"You might have her on the stand saying, 'look, we know Christie Brinkley is America's sweetheart, but he's telling me she wasn't so sweet to be married to,'" she said.

"In New York you need grounds for divorce. One is adultery," she said. "The judge may limit this testimony and say, 'look, this isn't about the media and tabloid coverage. This is was there an affair, was there adultery. She's admitted it, he's probably going to admit it."

According to Bloom, it was legal for Cook to pay his assistant to keep quiet and to prevent a sexual harassment lawsuit. But, the money cannot be used to prevent someone from coming into court and giving testimony. If she's subpoenaed, she must go on the stand.

Brinkley married Cook, her fourth husband, in 1996 and filed for divorce in 2006. They have a daughter Sailor, 9, and Cook adopted Brinkley's son Jack, now 13, from her brief marriage to developer Richard Taubman.

The former supermodel also has a daughter, 22-year-old Alexa Ray, with her second husband, singer Billy Joel. Brinkley's first husband was Frenchman Jean-Francois Allaux.

The divorce trial begins on July 2.

[keithle1]

Does a "decent" man have to be rich?

[keithle1]

Another one bites the dust.

More rich lawyers.

18 or 54...who would you rather sleep with? Hmm... Let me see...

Daughter''s name is "Sailor"? Oh puh-leeeze. BARF.
Enough with the precious names, people.

[peacedreamer-2009]

I''m sad to see that she''s going to be ungracious about it and drag everything into the media for everyone to get a look at. After all this time, it just seems vindictive. I hope she finds some peace in her life and the ability to let go of her hurt and anger.

[misssuzq]

It is already in public for good ness sake!

I think she is trying to get him to just go away and by not wanting to have a closed venue, she scares him into just tucking in his tail and agreeing to whatever she wants.

He wants some of her money and maybe this would keep her bank account untouched by his slimy hands.

[shafteriffic]

Christie is still HOT! Cook''s a LOSER! How many 54 year olds look that hot?

[rational_1]

Guess Cook''s goose is cooked. Brinkley doesn''t seem to have much luck in marriage, does she?

But on the bright side... when he was still married to Brinkley, Billy Joel was asked what it was like turning 40 compared to turning 30. He said he woke up that morning, rolled over, saw Christie Brinkley lying in bed next to him and thought "Hey this isn''t so bad"

[cmp271]

christy Brinkly who???? That old model, who cares!!!

Peter Cook, is he the holiday guy in England?? Who cares wins!!!

They are as boring as old milk and toast!!