SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Newt Gingrich is dealing with explosive new allegations from his ex-wife.
Gingrich's second wife tells ABC News that the former speaker wanted an open relationship so he could be with her and his mistress.
Marianne and Newt Gingrich were married for 18 years.
This is her first TV interview since the divorce.
Make no mistake about it, she has plenty to say.
The most shocking revelation from Marianne Gingrich is when she discovered her husband was stepping out on her.
Newt Gingrich had a six year affair with a congressional aide who would become his third and current wife.
But apparently Newt Gingrich told Marianne he wanted both a wife and a mistress.
ABC News: "He wanted an open marriage?”
Marianne Gingrich: “Yeah, that I accept the fact that he has somebody else in his life.”
ABC News: “And you said?”
Marianne Gingrich: “No. No. That is not a marriage."
Marianne Gingrich also says her husband eventually asked for a divorce and did so at the worst time possible.
Brian Ross, the ABC reporter who interviewed her said,
"She says that he asked for a divorce just after she had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and he had been told by doctors that Marianne shouldn't go through any stress."
Ross says Marianne is speaking out so voters can know what she knows about the man who wants to lead our country.
Gingrich is also a candidate who has campaigned on family values and the sanctity of marriage.
Ross says,
"This a man, she says, who does not have the moral character to be president."
Finally, Marianne Gingrich says that her ex-husband has never apologized to her for the pain he has caused.
So, she, in turn, is saying nope to Newt and his presidential ambitions.
Ross says,
"She's not going to vote for Newt Gingrich, no."
Newt Gingrich isn't saying much about all this.
But in the past he has said that he has made mistakes and has asked God for forgiveness.
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