Revelations Emerge as Gallego Divorce Records Leave Lake Empty-Handed

October has arrived, and with it, the divorce records of U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego have been unsealed following a lengthy legal battle. This expected release comes amidst the heightened scrutiny of Gallego by his opponent in the U.S. Senate race, Republican Kari Lake.

Lake has suggested, without evidence, that the records might hide incidents of domestic violence or misconduct. “We think there’s something really, really bad in those records,” she claimed during an interview with NewsMax on October 15.

The legal struggle initiated by a conservative media outlet culminated when the Arizona Court of Appeals ordered the unsealing of the records, which had previously been shielded from public view. Nevertheless, the released 465 pages revealed a typical divorce process devoid of any scandal.

In response, both Kate and Ruben Gallego issued a joint statement on October 17, demanding an apology from Lake for her disparaging remarks about their family. The couple emphasized their commitment to prioritizing their child’s welfare amidst the political controversy. They decried Lake’s approach as irresponsible and damaging.

Lake’s senior adviser, Caroline Wren, responded to the revelation by asserting that Lake had no involvement in the legal efforts to unseal the records. She described the Gallegos’ demand for an apology as “bizarre” while pointing to the timing of the divorce and its implications.

While Wren claimed that Ruben Gallego acted inappropriately by serving divorce papers shortly before the birth of their son, the records do not substantiate this portrayal. Ruben’s attorney acknowledged that informal discussions about key issues regarding the divorce had occurred prior to service of the papers.

It is important to note that Arizona’s no-fault divorce laws mean that claims of infidelity or violence are generally irrelevant to proceedings. The couple’s divorce, filed in December 2016, aligned closely with the birth of their child, but they have managed to maintain cordial relations since.

Justice John Napper described the unsealed records as a “garden variety” divorce file, comprising details on their parenting plan and financial obligations. Ultimately, historical allegations of misconduct proved unfounded in the released records.

Though the Gallegos sought to keep their records sealed, their efforts were met with legal challenges, culminating in a ruling from the Arizona Court of Appeals that upheld the decision to unseal the documents. The court noted that the Gallegos had failed to demonstrate compelling reasons to maintain confidentiality.

Justice Clint Bolick of the Arizona Supreme Court denied their request to stay the release of the records prior to their public unveiling on October 17. He highlighted that the Gallegos had not sufficiently proved they would face irreparable harm if the records were disclosed.

The unsealed documents did not contain any surprising revelations, reaffirming the public’s expectation and demonstrating the challenges of using personal matters for political attacks.

Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services contributed to this report.