Christie Brinkley’s Divorce Trial Begins

By: Shannon Gossage

During opening statements, Brinkley’s lawyer described Cook as a "chronic philanderer" and claimed that he spent $3,000 a month on Internet pornography. Cook’s lawyer described Brinkley as an "angry woman" and said she is reportedly turning their children against him. Cook was called to the stand and testified about his affair with Diana Bianchi, his ex-assistant. He said that the affair lasted "less than a year." The two met in early 2005 when she was working at a toy store in the Hamptons. He hired Bianchi to be his personal assistant and their relationship quickly turned sexual. He admitted to having sex with the then 18-year old a few times at the office and a number of other times at Brinkley’s homes in the Hamptons.

While on the stand Cook admitted to giving Bianchi monetary gifts after their affair began. He said that he began leaving money in different areas such as under a rock outside of his office and behind a painting in his office. Cook also admitted to paying Bianchi to keep the affair under wraps. He reportedly gave her $300,000 in May 2007 to keep the affair quiet. Bianchi reportedly testified that Cook seduced her shortly after she began working for him and that they had sex about 10 times. She also said that Cook asked her to lie about the affair.

Brinkley, 54, and Cook, 49, were married in 1996 and she filed for divorce in June 2006. This is Brinkley’s fourth marriage. She was married to Jean Francois Allaux from 1973-1981. She married singer Billy Joel in 1985 and divorced in 1994. The couple has one daughter, 22-year old Alexa Rae. Brinkley married developer Ricky Taubman later that year and they split shortly after she gave birth to their son, Jack Paris. Brinkley and Cook have a 10-year old daughter, Sailor Lee. Cook adopted Jack when he married Brinkley.