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A high-ranking former Kent police chief at the centre
of an investigation into allegations he sexually harassed female
colleagues took his own life, a coroner has ruled.
David Ainsworth, who rose to the rank of assistant chief constable at Kent after 22 years in the force, had relocated to Wiltshire at the time of the investigation.
He was facing up to 24 allegations from women across the two forces.
The then Deputy Chief Constable with Wiltshire police was found hanged while under investigation for making sexist remarks to female colleagues.
Brian Moore, the former chief constable of Wiltshire Police, said the force had offered support to David Ainsworth in the weeks before his death.
The inquest heard Mr Ainsworth felt the force was "gunning for him" and feared he would "lose everything" as a result of the investigations.
But his former boss Mr Moore - now head of the troubled UK Border Force - said Mr Ainsworth's welfare was taken seriously.
Trowbridge Coroner's Court in Wiltshire was told investigations into alleged sexist behaviour covered DCC Ainsworth’s two years with Wiltshire Police AND his 22 years at Kent.
The high-flying officer - who earned £110,00 a year and was nicknamed ‘The Brain’ due to his intelligence - was accused of telling one female ‘nice buttons’, while looking at her top, in one of the claims.
Coroner David Ridley heard the allegations relating to Mr Ainsworth's time in Kent surrounded two text messages - but the court was not told the exact nature of the claims.
But the inquest was told yesterday Mr Ainsworth had been researching suicide methods on the internet up to one month before he died.
The information was revealed through examinations of the officer's personal computer.
They included viewing websites on hanging and started on February 25 - shortly after he received statements of those making allegations against him.
The last search was made on March 21 - one day before he died.
DCC Ainsworth’s partner Joanna Howes previously told the inquest how she found her boyfriend hanging in the garage of their cottage on March 22.
Mr Ainsworth, 49, was removed from regular duties last September as South Wales Police conducted an external inquiry. He joined Kent Police in 1986, before leaving to work in Wiltshire.
While in Kent, he took on a number of roles, including head of the force inspectorate, area commander at north Kent and head of the force communications centre.
David Ridley, coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon, recorded a verdict Mr Ainsworth had taken his own life.
Wednesday, June 13 2012
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New Jersey Divorce Advisors LLC Offers Divorce Clients Guidance on Creating a Case Information Statement - YAHOO!
New Jersey Divorce Advisors, LLC, the leading divorce financial experts in New Jersey, provides guidance to divorce clients. Getting it right the first time: why a Case Information Statement is the lifeblood of a divorce settlement, and how to be sure this essential paperwork is completed properly.
Red Bank, NJ (PRWEB) June 13, 2012
New Jersey Divorce Advisors, LLC, the leading divorce financial experts in New Jersey, have released their recommendations for completing a Case Information Statement(“CIS”) during the divorce process.A recent high-profile divorce case proves the point that one of the most important preparations a person must make before going to court is making sure the Case Information Statement is thorough and complete.
Luckily for Laura Blank, her original CIS paperwork (in New York State the CIS is called a Statement of Net Worth) in her divorce from Steven Simkin in 2006 was thorough and complete; it worked in her favor when Simkin brought her back to court to try to renegotiate the settlement agreement. According to the New York Times, when the two divorced, Blank and Simkin split their millions evenly. Blank took hers in the form of cash. That meant that her portion of the investment proceeds was liquidated. Unfortunately for Simkin, he chose to keep his portion of the assets invested with Bernie Madoff. When Madoff was arrested for fraud in 2008, Simkin lost everything he had invested with him. Simkin sued his ex-wife to try to alter the terms of their divorce agreement, but a New York judge ruled that the divorce settlement was based on the value of the asset at the time of the settlement, and as such given that the asset was an investment, there’s an implicit understanding that it may change over time. Had there been an error in the value shown in the CIS at the time of the settlement, the case could have been reopened (Simkin v. Blank, Index 48, NYLJ 1202547876121, at *1 Ct. of App., Decided April 3, 2012) .
The CIS is the most critical document in terms of the financial settlement, and indeed every case in the state of New Jersey requires the completion of a CIS, but what exactly is it?
“Simply put it is a Financial Affidavit created by each spouse,” says Jodi Carter, co-founder of New Jersey Divorce Advisors LLC, and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). “The CIS contains a comprehensive list of all assets, liabilities, income, and expenses for both parties. It contains all relevant case information including date of the marriage, issues in dispute, children’s names, and the date of separation. And it breaks down the household income, taking into account bonuses and commission versus wages, and self-employment income, as well as appropriate tax deductions, analyzing required versus voluntary deductions such as 401(k) contributions.”
In addition, the CIS requires each spouse to set forth a budget as to the standard of living acquired during the marriage and expected after the marriage. This is why this form is the most important document in the divorce, it allows each party to track the money that was spent during the marriage, and also prepares each person for life after divorce. The form includes all of each person’s assets and liabilities, not only those that are subject to equitable distribution, and requires the submitting spouse to sign off on the accuracy and validity of the information contained in the document.
“Many parties and even some attorneys fail to appreciate the importance of preparing an accurate CIS. Success in negotiations, mediation, collaborative divorce, pendente lite motions, and trial depends on the accuracy of historic budgets, projected budgets, current income, and financial net worth,” says Hanan M. Isaacs, Esq., a Certified Matrimonial Specialist, mediator, and collaborative attorney located in Kingston, NJ.
In divorce litigation, the attorneys will rely on the information provided in the CIS to present their cases and negotiate an equitable settlement for their clients. The judge will also rely on the data provided in the CIS to assess the marital lifestyle and rule on alimony, child support, and distribution of assets. In mediation & Collaborative divorce, the CIS is not mandatory but is typically used because it is beneficial to the parties to work from this document. In less adversarial situations, the parties may create a joint CIS to be used by both parties.
“For many clients, the CIS represents the first time they’ve compiled a household budget or household balance sheet,” says Bryan Koslow, co-founder of New Jersey Divorce Advisors LLC, and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA™). “It forces people to compare their household inflows vs. outflows. At New Jersey Divorce Advisors LLC, we take it a step further by creating separate budgets for our clients for post-divorce to give them a framework for making decisions. For example, the budget will drive decisions about whether you can stay in the marital home, and how many hours you may need to work to support your desired lifestyle. The CIS is also the basis for determining how disruptive the divorce will be to college savings plans, retirement plans, and estate plans.”
Hiring a financial expert to create a lifestyle analysis takes the CIS preparation to the next level. The financial professional will meticulously examine tax returns, bank account statements, brokerage account statements, credit card statements, credit reports and other financial documents provided by the client to create an accurate account of the couple’s standard of living for the court. The lifestyle analysis will demonstrate the couple’s day-to-day expenses, and the spending habits of each party. This can help the court more clearly understand the couple’s finances, which is critical because one of the factors that the court considers when determining alimony is the standard of living to which each party was accustomed during the marriage.
Too often couples see the CIS as another required document for the divorce. By viewing this document as the basis for decisions and a wealth of information for planning for their future, it becomes a pivotal tool in moving from one stage of life to the next.
About NJDA
New Jersey Divorce Advisors, LLC is a financial consulting and planning firm specializing in the financial aspects of divorce. By analyzing the unique situation of each client, the firm structures equitable settlements and creates a plan for the client’s future. The firm, founded by a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Financial Planner™, provides clients a comprehensive financial assessment that includes tax analysis, financial planning, retirement and estate planning, and insurance recommendations. The firm may be utilized in Divorce Mediation, Litigation, or Collaborative Divorce.
Bryan Koslow
New Jersey Divorce Advisors
732-703-6532
Email Information
Source: news.yahoo.com
Russell: "Divorce Is Difficult Because Of The Admin" - MTV UK
The comedian also admits that K-Pez is still a person he loves...
Russell Brand has joked that the worse thing about his divorce from Katy Perry is the paperwork.
The funnyman, who is currently starring alongside Tom Cruise in Rock Of Ages, also explained to Lorraine Kelly that he still loves the Part Of Me singer - despite deciding to end their 14-month marriage last December.
When asked about K-Pez, Brand stated: "[The marriage] did work out in a way, you're married and it's good, then you're not married and it's good.
"You just have to have acceptance of things. She's a person I love but this is a new time."
The 36-year old then joked: "Divorce is difficult because of the admin. A lot of admin!"
Russell previously confessed he still had feelings for Perry during an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show last month, where he revealed: "I still love her as a human being, but, sometimes when you're in a relationship, I suppose it doesn't work out.
"That doesn't mean I regret it or anything. I was very happy to be married with her. She's such a beautiful human being and I just have only love and positivity for her."
Speaking fondly of the Teenage Dream star, he added: "That is still a person I still consider to be beautiful and I have nothing but positivity for her."
CHECK OUT 101 OF KATY PERRY'S FAMOUS LOOKS HERE!
SEE PICS OF KATY & RUSSELL IN HAPPIER TIMES HERE
Watch MTV News on the hour every hour on MTV - Sky Channel 126 and Virgin Channel 311
Source: www.mtv.co.uk
Essex Fire Crews Vote Two To One In Favour Of Strike Action - Market Wire
ESSEX, ENGLAND--(Marketwire - June 13, 2012) - Essex fire crews have voted TWO to ONE in favour of strike action in a dispute over frontline cuts and changes forced through without proper negotiation or agreement. Current plans for cuts would see the loss of one in five frontline crews in Essex since 2008, with the public already waiting longer for fire crews to turn up to fires in the home.
The strike ballot result will be considered by representatives from fire stations and workplaces across Essex and the fire authority will be given notice of strike dates by the General Secretary in due course. The Fire Brigades Union said there was still time to resolve the dispute before any strike action takes place.
Prior to the ballot the union was told that all issues in dispute would continue to be implemented and cuts imposed regardless of any talks with ACAS or national fire service conciliators. The union believed this undermined moves to resolve the dispute.
Mick Rogers FBU brigade secretary said: "Essex fire crews have shown the strength of opposition to frontline cuts and changes being forced through without their agreement. The result explodes the myth peddled to councillors that fire crews have no genuine concerns.
"This damaging myth has led the councillors to support disastrous plans to impose changes and press ahead with cuts. There is a window of opportunity to negotiate and reach an agreement acceptable to both sides in this dispute if councillors want that to happen.
"No one in the fire service ever wants to take strike action and no one will be happy if we are forced to do so. It is crucial the fire authority now wakes up and joins with us in genuine moves to resolve this dispute."
Ballot result
The number of frontline full time firefighters have been slashed by 100 since 2008, loss of one in eight. The number of retained 'on call' firefighters has dropped by 60 since 2008, a loss of one in ten.
Further planned cuts would bring total losses of frontline fire crews to one in five since 2008.In the same period of time, Essex Fire Service has increased back office staff by 7.5% - from 238 in 2008 to 256 today.
Source: www.marketwire.com
Kent State referred to as, oops, 'Kentucky St.' on mockup for College World Series 2012 T-shirts - Cleveland Plain Dealer
Should a Kent State Golden Flashes baseball player need any more reason, though, to apply all of his attention and concentration to the next pitch, he might want to remember this funny and unintended gaffe by the company that makes College World Series T-shirts for the NCAA.
The NCAA is selling T-shirts recognizing all of the teams that will play in the College World Series which begins this weekend in Omaha, Neb. Kent (46-18), making its first-ever World Series appearance, will begin tournament play Saturday against Arkansas (44-20).
Charles Apple writes for copydesk.org about the blunder. He refers to a photo, carried on the copydesk.org website, of the T-shirt backs, and writes:
Rhett Umphress, on his Twitter account, has tracked the NCAA's diss of the Golden Flashes.Check out the second one from the bottom: “Kentucky St.” In fact, that should be Kent State. The Golden Flashes are from Kent, Ohio, a few miles southeast of Cleveland.Kentucky State — home of the the green and gold “Thorobreds” — is in Frankfort, Ky. And, no: They are not playing in the College World Series.
Thanks to Rhett Umphress of ESPN The Magazine for tweeting this one today.
The mistake was quickly corrected, and KSU sources today told The Plain Dealer's Elton Alexander that the error was caught in the mock-up stage and no T-shirts with the wrong name were printed.
Nonetheless, the Golden Flashes have even more incentive to make Ohio proud.
Updated 5:04 p.m. EDT to reflect that error was made by T-shirt company and was caught before any shirts were printed.
Source: www.cleveland.com
Two Kent water companies to lift hosepipe bans - Kent News
Hosepipe ban to be lifted by two Kent water firms
Chris Murphy
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
11:07 AM
Thames Water and Southern Water removed restrictions from tomorrow
Two of Kent’s water companies are lifting their hosepipe bans from tomorrow.
Thames Water covers a tiny slither of Kent around the Edenbridge area, while Southern Water supplies the areas around Medway,Gravesend, Sheppey, Thanet, and the east Kent villages betweem Canterbury and Deal.
Both companies are lifting the bans in place since April 5 following two exceptionally dry years.
Since the drought restrictions were imposed, the county has experienced sustained heavy rainfall, including the wettest April on record.
Southern Water’s main reservoir at Bewl near Lamberhurst is now 81 per cent full and even the more essential underground supplies have been slightly replenished.
Water quality and strategy manager Meyrick Gough, said: “While our focus remains firmly on helping to deal with the aftermath of the torrential rain and flooding in the south over the last few days it is also right for us to lift the water restrictions.
“Our supplies have been topped up by the wet weather and are now in a much stronger position going into the summer than they were when we introduced the restrictions in early April.
“However, with the underground sources, which supply the vast majority of our customers, still below average for this time of year, we are asking our customers to continue with their efforts to use water wisely and not waste water.
“We have seen a great response from customers and demand has dropped considerably as a result of the wet weather and customers doing their bit and we are very grateful for their continued support.”
Kent other water suppliers, including South East, are still seriously worried about underground levels in aquifers, by far the largest resource in Kent.
It said that while recent rainfall boosted river and reservoir levels, it has had little impact on the region’s groundwater sources, many of which remain at “severe” levels.
South East Water said as these provide 75 per cent of all customers’ supplies it is not able to remove the hjosepipe ban.
Its asset director Paul Seeley said: “All water companies must stick to their drought management plans which are agreed with our regulators. Just as those companies who are now in a position to withdraw their restrictions will be following theirs, so must we comply with ours and retain them.
“We hope our customers understand why we are taking the action we are – these depleted reserves still need to see us through the summer, if it ever arrives, while we must also plan for the possibility of a third dry winter.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers for the extraordinary efforts they have made so far, while reassuring them that we are prudently managing the water resources we do have and as soon as we are confident the groundwater sources have recovered we will remove the restrictions.”
And Veolia South East is also keeping its ban, because of underground worries. Mike Pocock, water resources manager said: “We will need prolonged and substantial rainfall over a longer period to recharge our aquifers and to move us out of a drought situation.”
Source: www.kentnews.co.uk
Kobe & Vanessa Bryant: Their divorce is minor compared to these top 10 settlements - Washington Times
SAN DIEGO – June 13, 2012 – Every couple’s divorce is unique, like a snowflake. But there are more things in common than there are differences. And just like the saying about men, boys, and their toys, the real difference between rich and the poor is the size of their divorce settlements.
We learned recently that basketball star Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa may be staying together, even though she filed for divorce in December 2011 after years of reports and his admissions about extramarital affairs. Might a cynical person believe that Kobe decided “it’s cheaper to keep her”? The two got married without a pre-nuptial agreement, so she could walk away with $75 million and the couple’s three California homes.
But even if it goes forward, the Bryant divorce isn’t even in the major leagues when it comes to settlements among the rich and famous. Get ready for some eye-popping numbers. Here are the top ten richest Hollywood divorce payouts.
Actor Kevin Costner’s divorce from wife Cindy Silver is estimated at $80 million.
Singer Madonna’s divorce from British film director Guy Ritchie in 2008 after eight years of marriage and two children is believed to be between $76 million and $92 million. Apparently they really were living in a material world.
In another film director divorce, Steven Spielberg’s divorce from actress Amy Irving after 34 months (months, that’s less than three years) cost him $100 million. The pair married in 1985, broke up, but didn’t divorce formally for several more years. Irving and Spieldberg have one son, Max.
Golfer Tiger Woods went into the bunker for $100 million after his divorce from Elin Nordegren.
Another golfer’s divorce also cost him big. Greg Norman paid a settlement of $103 million to his ex-wife Laura Andrassy.
Actor Harrison Ford’s divorce from actress Melissa Mathison was estimated to be $118 million.
Country singers Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks.
Country music star Garth Brooks is the number one best selling solo artist of all time for all popular music. Best selling equals lots of money, which equals a big split if you decide to get divorced. It doesn’t help if you’ve been in the tabloid headlines alleged to be having an affair with another country music star.
Brooks and his wife Sandy were married for 14 years and divorced in 2001. But a year earlier, Sandy had asked her husband to choose between family life and music, and Garth Brooks spent that year at their home in Oklahoma trying to work things out. During the same year, country singer Trisha Yearwood got her second divorce, and rumors blamed an affair with Brooks.
Sandy received a settlement of $125 million from Brooks. They had three children ages four, six, and eight at the time.
After the divorce, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood began dating. They were married in December 2005. It was his second marriage, her third.
Singer Neil Diamond claims he “willingly” gave his ex-wife Marcia Murphey $150 million after they got divorce.
Perhaps Kobe Bryant looked at what happened to basketball great Michael Jordan and decided to put the brakes on his divorce. Jordan’s divorce from his wife Juanita was considered the most expensive celebrity divorce in history at the time, which was five years ago in 2007. Juanita Jordan sank a settlement in excess of $260 million. That will buy a whole lot of shoes.
Mel Gibson's divorce from wife Robyn holds the current record for payouts in a Hollywood divorce. Photo: Alta.
But it was eclipsed in December 2011 by the divorce of Mel Gibson from his wife of 29 years, Robyn. They had no prenuptial agreement. She was a dental assistant when she met the ambitious actor. They had seven children. Gibson went on to have a successful acting career, but where he made big money was as the producer of the movie The Passion of the Christ, over $600 million. Robyn walked away with half of his $850 million net worth… yes, that’s $425 million. She also gets half of every residual check Gibson receives for the rest of her life for any movies or other projects he was involved in when they were married. It is the highest amount ever paid in a Hollywood divorce.
Here’s a refreshing postscript: when former boy-band singer Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson got divorced, Lachey declined to take even a dime from his soon-to-be-ex wife. Her net worth was estimated at $35 million at the time in 2005, far greater than his. He was entitled to a settlement and support under California law. But Lachey openly refused any payout, even when her father offered him $1.5 million.
Believe it or not, Hollywood divorce settlements are peanuts compared to Wall Street divorce payouts. In part two we’ll talk serious numbers when it comes to divorce and big business.
Myra Chack Fleischer founded Fleischer & Associates in 2001 and serves as Lead Counsel with a focus on divorce, property, custody and support, settlement agreements, mediation, asset division and family law appeals. Read more Legally Speaking in the Communities at The Washington Times. Follow Fleischer & Associates on Facebook and on Twitter @LawyerMyra
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Copyright © 2012 by Fleischer & Associates, Attorneys at Law
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Source: communities.washingtontimes.com
Is our divorce and mortgage settlement as it should be? - The Guardian
Q I am divorcing my husband and remortgaging the property, which is in joint names. He has agreed to sign over the house to me, which will be done via the bank. However, is he liable to help financially with our three children, albeit the eldest is 20 and in full-time education, the other 16 and in full-time education and the youngest 10?
My concern is that he has not informed me how long this new mortgage deal is for, but he says it is better than what we are paying currently so I am better off – which is is why he thinks he should get £35,000 as it is a lifetime tracker with no fees at any stage. I am a little puzzled about this: does this mean it is like a variable rate mortgage, where if the interest rate goes up so do the payments? Are there any benefits I could claim once I become a single parent that I should know about? VF
A As a matter of some urgency, you need to get proper legal advice about the financial settlement you and your husband draw up on divorce. You can usually get a free initial consultation and I suggest you use a family lawyer who is a member of Resoluton to help you. An experienced family lawyer will be able to tell you whether you should negotiate for your ex-husband to pay maintenance – especially as the children are still in full-time education – and can also look at whether signing over the family home is a suitable arrangement.
As far as the new mortgage goes, it sounds to me like he has increased the loan in order to release £35,000 in cash for himself. If you are not happy with that, it is something you need to discuss with your lawyer. And you are totally correct that a lifetime tracker is a variable rate mortgage where payments will go up (and down) in line with interest rates.
For help and advice on becoming a single parent, I suggest you contact Gingerbread.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
