The Bill O’Reilly Divorce Factor: It Just Got Worse

The Bill O'Reilly Divorce Factor: It Just Got Worse

Bill O’Reilly the Fox News host is planning a $10 million lawsuit against his former wife in litigation that appears increasingly acrimonious as he makes claims of cheating.

Reports indicate that O’Reilly claims his former wife knowingly made false representations and omissions regarding their divorce settlement.  Gossip site Gawker released a copy of the Summons With Notice claiming that Maureen McPhilmy “knowingly made false misrepresentations and material omissions of existing fact … [during the couple’s divorce settlement proceedings] … for the sole purpose of inducing [O’Reilly] to agree to a consensual divorce and to obtain money and real property to finance an existing extra-marital relationship.”

O’Reilly’s claim amounts to an allegation that McPhilmy concealed information about a relationship with another man so she could obtain a better divorce settlement from him.  He goes further, claiming she obtaining funds that were used to advance the relationship.

Reports Lawnewz:  A separate filing reveals that O’Reilly’s attorneys also recently requested that all future filings related to this potential action be filed under seal.

The Memorandum of Law in Support of Plaintiff’s Motion to Seal Pursuant to NYCRR 216.1 states that as a public person, and based on past history, matters involving O’Reilly tend to attract media attention that causes his children “extreme emotional distress.”

And who is the ‘Third Man?’

Evidently O’Reilly was disinterested in Gawker’s request for comment, but evidently the relationship is with a Nassau County Police Department detective named Jeffrey Gross. McPhilmy and Gross began dating in 2010 shortly after she and O’Reilly separated.

O’Reilly Divorce Setbacks

Bill O’Reilly has gone through an increasingly bitter battle over his divorce, with a February ruling from a New York Appeals court that his school age children should live with their mother.  The lengthy decision indicated that the children did not wish to live with him.

The Court ruling stated:  Viewing the totality of the circumstances, there is a sound and substantial basis for the Supreme Court’s determination that it is in the best interests of the children for the mother to be awarded primary residential custody. Particularly relevant in this case are the clearly stated preferences of the children, especially considering their age and maturity, and the quality of the home environment provided by the mother[.]

Accusations of domestic violence have also been raised against O’Reilly, who has fought a multi-pronged battle against his former wife, loding appeals and vehemently defending his position and role in the marriage and as father to the children.

But it appears it’s not going to be getting any better any time soon.

Scroll to Top