Politics

Grayson’s Wife, Kids Now On Government Assistance

Ben Smith Contributor
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The estranged wife and children of Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson have turned to government food stamps to support themselves, despite lawyers representing Grayson asserting that he provides them about $120,000 of assistance, WFTV 9 Orlando reports.

Grayson was named the 17th richest member of Congress this month by CQ Roll Call.

Grayson’s marriage of 29 years dissolved earlier this year when his wife, Lolita Grayson, filed for divorce. A week later, Rep. Grayson asked a court to annul the marriage on the basis of bigamy.

Mr. Grayson is refusing to pay spousal support because he is claiming that she was never divorced from her first husband and therefore their marriage was never legitimate.

Mrs. Grayson told WFTV 9 Orlando she never thought she would be on food stamps or have her kids on the school lunch, because her husband was “the sole provider,” she said. “I don’t have any money at all. He’s been holding all our money for years and years.”

The congressman’s lawyers dismiss the claim saying that she is abusing public funds, saying that he is still paying the mortgage, utilities and phone bills. They are calling it an Election Day ploy to hurt him in the polls.

Mark Nejame, one of his lawyers, claimed that Lolita is “abusing the public.”

“She’s going out and asking for support because she can’t support herself on $120,000? That’s outrageous,” Nejame said.

Despite these claims, Lolita Grayson maintains that the house is in disrepair with mold. “I’m doing this for me and our children, not for him, because I would like to have a good life again,” she concluded.

A reporter from WFTV confirmed the septic tank was leaking in the front of the house and the house was covered in mold.

This story has been updated.