Divorce Settlement Veers Off Course

Resetting a trial date may be unavoidable for John and Becky Moores as they have failed to finalize the paperwork in their divorce settlement, a battle that has already led to the sale of the Padres, as reported by the San Diego Union Tribune.

The Moores had told San Diego Superior Court judge Lorna Alksne that they had reached a settlement back in March.  Since that time Alksne has set four court dates.  In every instance that Alksne has had to reset the date, it was because the couple's paperwork had failed to be finalized in time.

If the Moores fail again, in another new court date set for later in the month, Alksne has threatened to send it back to a public trial.  She said, "If judgment is not entered by the next court date, court will be resetting the trial."

Due to several disagreements between the Moores - to the point that they have had to hire forensic accountants to sort things out - it isn't the first time that the case appeared to be ready for settlement only to veer off its course once again.

Alksne has also warning the warring spouses that they may have to pay for a referee to manage their continuous disagreements. 

While Becky Moores filed for divorce in January of 2008, the couple, married in 1963,  intended to not publicize the issues of their case.  With the help of a private mediator they were somewhat successful in keeping their settlement disagreements to themselves and out of the public limelight. 

The press suggested that due to the high profile divorce of a similar couple that own a sports team, Jamie and Frank McCourt, the Moores were determined more than ever to shun the publicity of their own private drama.

This continued until the first scheduled trial, March 15.  On March 3, the couple told Alksne that they had just reached a settlement.  This took the trial off of the court's calendar and created a delay.  Now, at trial, the couple will have to finally end their issues and divide up every asset - in public.

The couple, living in California, will have to abide by the laws of the state.  There a spouse is entitled to half of all community property - which translates to assets acquired, or income earned, while the married couple lived together.

John Moores bought the Padres in 1994.  A year after the divorce was filed he made a deal with a group led by former player and current CEO, Jeff Moorad, to purchase the team.  The sale may take some time, maybe even years to complete, and it is unknown as to whether the Moores divorce delays have been affecting the schedule of the sale.

JMI Realty, a master developer in the downtown ballpark district, was founded and is still owned by John Moores. 

The attorneys for the couple did not return messages for comment.

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