Not Loving Husband Costs O.C. Wife Dearly Divorce: Jury awards him $242,000 for her lies about desiring him. Case may change property division rules.

The Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext); Los Angeles, Calif.; Apr 8, 1993; LILY DIZON;MARK I. PINSKY; - read full article

Abstract:
[Ronald Askew], president of the Pacific Inland Bank in Anaheim, testified that from the time the two began dating, and until their marriage ended in 1991, he had told [Bonnette Askew] that "honesty and integrity" were very important to him. He said he repeatedly asked if she wanted to reveal anything.

Bonnette Askew finally acknowledged that she found her husband sexually undesirable during a session the couple had with Bonnette Askew's psychiatrist in March, 1991. Bonnette Askew admitted the statement during her court testimony, and it was corroborated by the psychiatrist.

Bonnette Askew and her two children from her marriage with Ronald Askew have been living in a rented home on $3,400 a month in court-ordered support for the family. Lawyers on both sides said the verdict would not affect the support payments.

Man Gets Ex-Wife's Share of Land

The Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext); Los Angeles, Calif.; May 25, 1993; RENE LYNCH; - read full article

Abstract:
Ronald Askew, 50, made nationwide headlines last month when he successfully claimed that Bonnette Askew deceived him during their 13-year relationship. An Orange County Superior Court jury awarded Ronald Askew $242,000 in damages.

Attorneys for Ronald Askew requested that instead of ordering Bonnette Askew to pay the damage amount, she be made to turn over her interest in the four properties jointly held in the couple's name. One piece of land was lost to foreclosure.

Husband in Marital Fraud Case Gets Land Divorce: Anaheim banker who successfully sued ex-wife is awarded four parcels the pair had owned. But the ruling was not a total victory.

The Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext); Los Angeles, Calif.; May 25, 1993; RENE LYNCH; - read full article

Abstract:
Ronald Askew, 50, made nation-wide headlines last month when he successfully claimed that Bonnette Askew deceived him during their 13-year relationship. An Orange County Superior Court jury awarded Ronald Askew $242,000 in damages, which will be paid off with the four parcels awarded him Monday.

The jury concluded that Ronald Askew would not have married Bonnette Askew, or made her joint owner of five parcels of property, if she had told him from the outset that she found him physically undesirable. One piece of land was subsequently lost to foreclosure.

Bonnette Askew, who wept during the hearing, said outside court that her ex-husband wants to leave her destitute. Bonnette Askew, who testified during the trial that she was not sexually attracted to her husband, said outside court Monday that she nevertheless loved him throughout their 13-year relationship.

Man sues wife, saying she never loved him
Husband charges fraud in bid to keep his property

March 29, 1993 Byline: Pat Brennan The Orange County Register - read full article

Network TV show spotlights marital-fraud case tonight COURTS: Estranged couple who made headlines across the nation take their marital-fraud case to prime time.

July 1, 1993 Byline: KRISTINA HORTON The Orange County Register - read full article

Prosecutor says calls tie Gionis to attack
Judge to decide if surgeon will be tried in Wayne-Luby case

April 21, 1989 Byline: Donna Wares, The Orange County Register - read full article

Defensive huddle: Defense attorneys representing surgeon Thomas Gionis, center, confer Thursday during preliminary hearings for the doctor accused of hiring assailants to attack his ex-wife, Aissa Wayne, and her financier boyfriend, Roger Luby. From left, at Orange County Harbor Municipal Court in Newport Beach, are Allan Stokke, Gionis, F. Lee Bailey and Al Graham. A decision is expected today on whether Gionis should go on trial.

Gionis' Fast Rise, Quick Temper Described by Associates Suspect Called Case of Blind Ambition

The Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext); Los Angeles, Calif.; Apr 6, 1989; JIM CARLTON - read full article

Abstract:
"It was very clear from the trial that he ([Anastasia Gionis]) had a very close-knit family," Albert M. Graham Jr., co-counsel for Gionis in the divorce, said of Gionis' close relationship with his sister, Xanthia, and parents, Matthew and Betsy Gionis.

Her father said he disliked Gionis because of what he termed his "egocentric" personality. Gionis kept a poster of himself in his apartment, a blow-up of a picture accompanying a newspaper article reporting Gionis to be the youngest person to graduate from the South Carolina medical school, [John Boettcher] said.

Gionis opened his own clinics in Palm Springs, Indio, Corona, Upland and Beverly Hills. [Roy Hulse] said he formed a partnership with Gionis in December, 1986, under which Hulse ran the Palm Springs and Indio clinics, treating most of the patients, in exchange for 40% of the profits.

Newport Police Feared Suspect Would Flee Aissa Wayne's Ex-Husband, Jailed in Attack, Had Passports, Europe Contacts, Officers Say

The Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext); Los Angeles, Calif.; Apr 6, 1989; STEVE EMMONS; JIM CARLTON; - read full article

Abstract:
Gionis was being held on a no-bail arrest warrant based on the statements by police that they believe Gionis might flee if released. [Russell A. Bostrom] scheduled a bail hearing at 1:30 p.m. today. Gionis' preliminary hearing was set for April 17.

Outside the courtroom, [Byron K. McMillan] and Albert M. Graham Jr., a Santa Ana lawyer who represented Gionis in his divorce case, belittled the case against Gionis.

McMillan insisted that Gionis is the victim of [O. Daniel Gal], who was employed by Gionis' attorney and not by Gionis. He said Gal tried to "shake down" Gionis for money before he fled to Europe.

Wayne Gains Custody of Child From Gionis

The Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext); Los Angeles, Calif.; Apr 11, 1989; ERIC LICHTBLAU; - read full article

Abstract:
[Anastasia Gionis]' attorney, Albert M. Graham Jr., was rebuffed in his attempts to persuade [Ronald E. Owen] to let the child, Anastasia, remain with her paternal grandparents in San Diego, instead of with [John Wayne].

Gionis' attorney also characterized Monday's custody order as an attempt by Wayne "to capitalize on Dr. Gionis' unfortunate situation. . . . She's not looking out for the best interests of this child."

Wayne did not attend the custody meeting with Owen but did submit to the court a statement that renewed allegations she had made against Gionis in a 1987 bid for custody.

Gionis Wins Permission for Visits With Daughter

The Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext); Los Angeles, Calif.; Apr 27, 1989; ERIC LICHTBLAU; - read full article

Abstract:
Her attorneys plan to argue at a May 25 hearing before [Ronald E. Owen] that the new criminal charges against [Thomas A. Gionis] should be grounds for reopening the custody dispute altogether and reversing the judge's January order in favor of Gionis. But in the meantime, Judge Owen agreed with attorneys for Gionis who argued that the surgeon should be allowed to see the child pending the outcome of his criminal case.

[E. Robert Lemkin] did argue that Gionis, who had secured a passport for himself and his daughter soon before his arrest, posed a significant risk of fleeing the country with [Anastasia]. As a result, Lemkin said, Gionis should be subject to tight court supervision. According to Lemkin, the judge directed that Gionis should have visitation of the child every Wednesday and every other weekend-but only under monitoring by a retired or active police officer.