Now, live, CBS3 Eyewitness News at 6.
In fact, it was Mr. McGrady's representative who, without provocation, offered a sum of
money to make my client go away.
The war of words has started.
The lawyer for Golan Sipple, the man at the heart of the New Jersey governor's sex scandal,
read a statement from his client.
Good evening, I'm Alicia Lane.
And I'm Larry Mendte.
And now we have two versions of the same story.
It has become a case of he said he said.
Within the past hour, Sipple's attorney made stunning accusations and refuted Governor
Jim McGreevey's version of the story, which caused him to resign from office.
We have live Team 3 coverage with Natasha Brown and Sydney Long.
We begin with the breaking developments and Natasha in Trenton.
Natasha.
Well, good evening to you, Larry.
Golan Sipple's attorney just spoke to the media about 30 minutes ago outside of his
office in New York.
He maintains that his client's claims of sexual harassment against Governor Jim McGreevey
and members of his staff are true.
Yet no sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed by the governor's former Homeland Security
adviser.
The Sipple's attorney saying only time will tell at this point when and if that will happen.
Here's what he had to say just a short time ago.
While employed by one of the most powerful politicians in the country, New Jersey Governor
McGreevey, I was the victim of repeated sexual advances by him.
Such conduct and Mr. McGreevey's behavior caused me such emotional distress and turmoil.
I often wonder why I did not have the strength to disentangle myself from such an oppressive
environment and from such a manipulative person.
But I've come to understand that I was a victim.
And just as importantly, I was the victim whose oppressor was one of the most powerful
politicians who made sure to let me know that my future was in his hands.
When I finally dared to reject Governor McGreevey's advances, the retaliatory actions taken by
him and members of his administration were nothing short of abuse and intimidation.
First, his sexual harassment by the governor and now as a victim of an attempted smear
campaign.
Our only goal was to obtain justice.
In fact, it was Mr. McGreevey's representatives who without provocation offered a sum of money
to make my client go away.
Well, again, Sipple's attorney emphasizing that his client was allegedly victimized,
abused and intimidated while working with Governor Jim McGreevey two years ago.
Again, there was a statute of limitations that the attorneys were working under a two-year
statute of limitations.
That's why everyone thought the lawsuit would be filed here at the Mercer County Courthouse
today.
It is unclear where this case will go from here and as the attorney said, only time will
tell.
We're live in Trenton, New Jersey with the very latest Natasha Brown, CBS3 Eyewitness
News.
Alright Natasha, thank you.
Well, while the he said he said continues, the political fallout from yesterday's stunning
announcement is just beginning.
Today leaders of the state Republican Party made it clear Governor McGreevey must leave
now saying that it would be very difficult to govern under all of this scandal and pressure.
New Jersey reporter Sydney Long has been following this story from the beginning.
She is live at the State House in Trenton, Sydney.
Well, Alicia, good evening.
State GOP leaders say Governor McGreevey's November 15th resignation date is far too late
that it denies the 8.5 million New Jersey voters the right to choose their acting governor.
Republicans say there are still many more secrets and scandals to emerge from this administration
and they want McGreevey to leave office now.
Jim McGreevey should resign immediately because he is the master of deception.
He has deceived himself, he has deceived his family and he has deceived all the voters
of New Jersey.
Their message to the governor is loud and clear.
State GOP leaders say they are sympathetic to Governor McGreevey's private turmoil.
Shamefully I engaged in an adult consensual affair with another man.
But say his admission of an adulterous affair believed to be with former counter-terrorism
aide Golan Seppel will adversely affect McGreevey's ability to govern effectively over the next
three months.
The details of alleged administration wrongdoings to be outlined in an impending lawsuit will
wreak havoc on McGreevey emotionally.
Resign now.
We are talking about a bright, young, Irish Catholic New Jerseyan.
Ryder University political science professor David Rebovich says New Jersey citizens ought
to be concerned about whether or not he can really concentrate on his duties over the
next several weeks.
And here in the Garden State we have concerns about domestic security.
The Prudential building up in Newark was one of the possible targets.
Secondly, major budget concerns.
This has got nothing to do with whether or not Jim McGreevey's sexual orientation.
This has got to do with his conduct in office and about this ongoing pattern of corruption.
Senator Carrillos went on to say that Dick Cody would have far too much on his shoulders
to act as governor as well as his duties as Senate president.
That it's too big a job just for one person.
McGreevey's spokesperson says the Republicans are simply playing politics with a very private
issue and that you cannot hand over office of the governor in a matter of days.
Live in Trenton, Sydney Long, CBS3 Eyewitness News.
Sydney, thank you.
Well, it may have been a relief to New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey according to some of
his aides, but how did this shocking announcement feel for his wife, Dina?
How does a wife stand by her husband in even the toughest times?
Stephanie Abrams has a special report coming up at 615.
Larry?
Larry, another big story today goes by the name Charlie, a powerful hurricane.
And right now, Florida's Gulf Coast is getting pounded by a stronger than expected storm.
The Category 4 hurricane blew ashore around 4 o'clock near Port Charlotte, north of Fort
Myers.
Charlie's packing winds of up to 145 miles per hour.
Storm surges are flooding the coast.
Residents who didn't evacuate remain holed up trying to ride out this storm.
Here's another view of Charlie's, Charlie now as it made landfall.
These are pictures from Fort Myers, a similar scene there with high waves and strong winds
pounding the coast.
The storm is expected as it moves inland and makes its way up to the north, maybe up towards
us.
There are amazing images of Charlie from outer space.
The hurricane was captured by a camera aboard the International Space Station.
From above, you can see Charlie's massive size.
Incredibly though, these pictures were taken before the hurricane was upgraded to a Category
4.
Another aerial view of Hurricane Charlie, this one from the skies over the Gulf of Mexico.
Scientists tracked Hurricane Charlie's strength from a specially designed plane.
They got up close and personal with the eye of the storm.
Back here at home, the remnants of Tropical Storm Bonnie dumping rain on the Delaware
Valley and more rain may be on the way from Charlie.
A lot of questions still to be answered about that.
So here's Meteorologist Kathy Orr with the latest.
Kathy.
Thanks very much Larry.
Yes, you can see a few scattered showers.
What's left are the remnants of Bonnie.
To the south, a few more showers possible tonight.
But the main threat is going to be definitely what's left of Charlie.
Maximum sustained winds with this storm up to 145 miles an hour.
I'm going to add the radar on for you so you can actually see the storm as it made landfall
right near Port Charlotte.
Here it is.
A storm moving very quickly toward Cape Coral, Port Charlotte and racing.
It is just about, let's see, 115 miles to the south-southeast of Orlando at this moment.
So as we take a zoom in, you'll see the eye very well defined making landfall right over
I-75 into Port Charlotte racing toward the northeast.
The latest on this particular storm, packing a punch, maximum sustained winds 140 miles
an hour.
It will continue to race toward the north northeast, move over the southeastern part
of the country overnight tonight and finally make its way through the mid-Atlantic tomorrow,
by tomorrow night over the Delaware Valley, bringing a soaking rain into Sunday morning
and then out of our hair by Monday.
This is exclusive to CBS 3, Wind Force 3.
We can track the rain, now we can track the wind.
As the storm made landfall, you can see these arrows rotating around in a counterclockwise
flow where you see the red, that is the eye wall, the strongest winds.
Hurricane forced at 150 miles an hour.
The eye of the storm is the calm and the storm continues as I mentioned toward the northeast.
Coming up, we'll take a look at what Charlie means to us rainfall-wise and the latest track
it's updating now.
For now, we'll send it back to you, Alicia.
Hi, Katzie, in a bit.
Charges are expected against two men who police say robbed a toy store and made their getaway
in a stolen car.
Chopper 3 over the Toys R Us at the Willow Grove Shopping Center in Upper Moreland Township.
Police say Troy Williams and Bernard Butler of Philadelphia robbed the store this morning.
Police say both men were armed and they allegedly tied up three employees with duct tape.
Both men were captured after crashing a store employee's car into a Philadelphia apartment
building.
Within the past hour, the White House announced that President Bush is making another visit
to Pennsylvania.
Next Tuesday, he'll be in Ridley Park, Delaware County.
No details have been released just yet.
Late today, the president was in Portland, Oregon speaking at a local high school.
He told residents there that his tax cuts are paying off.
For Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry was in Portland at the very same time at a
waterfront park.
He also talked about the administration's tax cuts, saying the only people benefiting
from them are the rich.
Kerry's campaign continues in Oregon tonight and tomorrow.
Still ahead, are you ready for some football?
The Eagles start the preseason tonight.
Tamsen Fidele will be with the fans.
Well, it's preseason, but these fans are already talking.
Super Bowl on Tamsen Fidele.
We'll have a live report from Dave and Buster's coming up.
And she's stood by New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevy even as he told the world he cheated
on her with another man.
Find out what the experts say would motivate McGreevy's wife to stay.
Bob.
Good afternoon, everyone.
You got Philly's volume and an earlier accident here on 95 making it a little thick.
Plus, an update on that Egypt Road crash.
That and more when we come right back.
From the path of Charlie, Florida prepares for a massive punch from the hurricane.
Also, treehouses grow up.
Living life out on the limb tonight on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather.
Get used to hearing this because you'll be hearing it a lot.
CBS 3 is your official Eagles station.
Can you believe it?
The preseason starts tonight.
And the Eagles and the New England Patriots are here at 8 right here on CBS 3.
And we're starting off the season.
By the way, we want you to come on down with a rally at Dave and Buster's for the Eagles.
That's where Tamsin Fadal is live there with the fans.
Tamsin, they gotta be singing the Eagles chant.
It has been way too long since I've heard those six special letters.
These guys back here are going to give me a hand.
E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
And at Dave and Buster's, there's no shortage of Eagles fans and no shortage of talk about
these two players in particular.
We got T.O. obviously.
We needed him.
Javon Kirst, the freak.
We finally got a little bit of defense.
They're going to go to the Super Bowl this year.
But now they got T.O.
They should make it this year.
I think they're going to do very well this year.
I think they'll go all the way.
T.O.
T.O.
Something this city's been waiting for a long time.
This should be the year that we win.
We finally spent the money and got the players that we need.
And there's nothing that should stop the Eagles.
And a little bit less than two hours.
Until game time, of course, we'll be out here and we'll be ready.
We're live from Dave and Buster's tonight.
Tamsen, Fidele, CBS 3 Eyewitness News.
And it looks like Tamsen could use a few more people down there.
So if you want to head down, we are doing a pre-show game live.
I'll be joining Tamsen at Dave and Buster's at 730 right here on CBS 3.
We hope to see you there to cheer on the Eagles.
And Beasley Reese is live in New England for the game.
We'll have a live report in just a few minutes.
Plus, Dina McGreevey was at her husband's side when he announced his infidelity with
another man.
What kept her with him?
We'll talk to an expert about that next.
We'll be right back.
the show.
The Eyewitness Weather team tracking Hurricane Charlie.
The Category 4 storm is pounding Florida.
Meteorologist Cathy Orr will have an update on how it will affect us in just a few minutes.
Governor Jim McGreevey plans to spend time this weekend with his wife Dina.
Yesterday, she stood by her man literally and figuratively as he publicly made his stunning
admissions.
Shamefully, I engaged in an adult consensual affair with another man, which violates my
bonds of matrimony.
And for this, I ask the forgiveness and the grace of my wife.
So far, Dina McGreevey has kept silent fueling speculation about her future with the governor.
Our Stephanie Abrams talk with a local woman who knows what the governor's wife is going
through.
As people all over the country watched Governor McGreevey announce he is a gay American,
they also watched his smiling wife by his side and wondered, what is she really thinking
as she stands by her man?
When I saw McGreevey's wife, I thought of Hillary Clinton.
But I thought of the pain that Governor McGreevey's wife must be experiencing in her heart.
Francine Barbetta would know she's been through it.
After 18 years of marriage, she learned the man she raised children with in Levittown,
Pennsylvania is gay and had been cheating on her with other men.
I think that I was actually living in denial for a long time.
It was very, very painful.
But she says there was some relief to finally know why her marriage lacked intimacy.
And at first, because her husband was her best friend, she considered staying.
You want to hold the marriage together.
You want to support your husband.
You want to be there because you see the pain and anguish that he's going through.
Now a family therapist, Francine's read many books on the subject and learned 15% of straight
spouses do stay for those reasons.
She's with the 85% that don't.
My ex-husband wanted to keep the marriage together, and I just felt that I could not
live that lifestyle.
So I chose to leave.
Francine Barbetta hopes McGreevey's announcement raises awareness.
She says most straight spouses suffer silently because of the shame.
And her research shows at least two million women in the country are in the same situation
as Mrs. McGreevey.
Live in the newsroom, Stephanie Abrams, CBS3 Eyewitness News.
Stay with CBS3 Eyewitness News for continuing coverage of Governor McGreevey's resignation.
And we just got in new pictures of Hurricane Charlie as it slams into the Gulf Coast of
Florida.
Take a look.
The area around Fort Myers is getting pounded with heavy rain and winds.
I apologize for that picture breaking up there.
The weather, obviously wreaking havoc with the signal there.
Right now the storm is packing winds of up to 145 miles an hour.
And the big question is, I mean we're watching these pictures and you have to feel for the
people of Florida.
At the same time you have to wonder about the track of this storm and whether it's going
to hit us and how it's going to affect us on our weekend.
I wish I'm sure it will.
Meteorologist Cathy Orr has an update on all of that.
She's going to fill us in.
Absolutely.
The new track of the storm actually brings it toward the Delaware Valley.
It's a tropical depression.
So that means rain and wind.
With a tropical depression you can have winds 35, 38 miles an hour or greater.
And that means rain, wind and with more of an easterly track the coast could be affected
as well.
So we are going to keep a very careful eye on this storm.
Down the shore, rip currents, most definitely over the next 24 to 48 hours.
The surf is up.
Obviously the surfers love it.
But please do not go in the water unless there is a lifeguard on duty and never swim at dark.
Let's take you along the Schuylkill River.
The beautiful Boathouse Row where the temperature is 77 degrees.
The dew point is on the high side at 65.
That means it's a little muggy.
Winds out of the northwest at 8 miles an hour.
The high today in Philadelphia made it up there near 80 but not quite close enough.
79 degrees, the normal high being 85.
The low this morning a balmy 74 degrees.
Live Megadoppler 3 checking out the scene across the Delaware Valley.
A few scattered showers left from what remains of Bonnie.
That's moving into New York and into New England.
We'll continue to see a few showers to our south.
Otherwise the main story is down through the deep south of Florida to the western part
of the state, Cape Coral.
You can see it right here, Port Charlotte.
About three hours ago the storm making landfall with winds of 145 miles an hour.
It crossed right over 75 Port Charlotte and now is making its way toward Orlando, Florida.
Now as far as our weather is concerned we will be feeling the effects of this storm
but it's not going to be until tomorrow night.
Temperature right now in Philadelphia mild and muggy 77.
It's 77 in Redding, Allentown, Potstown, Trenton, Millville, Wilmington.
So if you're playing the lottery tonight here's a hint maybe which number you should play.
Across the Delaware Valley a few scattered showers this evening.
Otherwise we'll be drying out and we'll see a period of drying right through tomorrow
night.
So if you have a party tomorrow afternoon no problems.
But by late tomorrow night between 10 and midnight we should be seeing some of the rain
approach.
We have that stalled out frontal boundary, the remnants of Bonnie moving into New England.
Charlie's rain moving through the mid-Atlantic by tomorrow late in the afternoon and moving
along this front into the Delaware Valley.
Potentially heavy rain by Sunday.
So evening showers with Bonnie.
Charlie rain and wind expected Saturday night through Sunday morning two to four inches
with a possibility of some heavier amounts locally with the current track.
Here's a look at the five day forecast.
Charlie's rain on Sunday drying out Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with highs in the 80s.
The super extended 10 day calls for highs in the mid 80s by next weekend.
A few storms Saturday drying out for Sunday.
And of course we have the Eagles preseason game.
Yeah it's out of town but nevertheless we are going to check out the forecast.
Game time temperature 70 degrees.
A possible shower in New England but it will be very muggy.
So Larry and Alicia that ball will travel a little bit farther tonight for the birds
back to you.
I just cannot wait.
One thing that Kathy said we've been through this dance before.
These hurricanes come up the remnants of them.
Sometimes they sit over us so it's very important to watch the forecast throughout the weekend
to make sure you don't get caught in anything.
Bob Kelly's got to check on the roads for us now.
Bobby.
Good afternoon everybody.
Chapter three was live over this situation.
An accident.
Egypt Road in Montgomery County was closed for about an hour right at 422 which put the
extra volume on pallings and also on trooper.
A couple of folks taken to the area hospital with some minor injuries but it's all cleaned
up and we're back in business right now.
Let's go outside take a live look now at 422.
Just a parking lot westbound from 202 all the way out to trooper eastbound.
Not that bad at all as you head in the busy King of Prussia interchange.
Going to the shore this weekend.
Come on high atop the Walt Whitman Bridge.
You're set to jet.
We were jam solid during the four o'clock hour.
Hint if you're heading down to shore next weekend possibly wait until after six o'clock.
You're good to go a little break tapping at both of the toll plazas and 95 northeast Philadelphia
southbound jam from Woodhaven down to Cotman and you'll find the crews out here tonight
through Sunday.
Readjusting those cement barriers northbound with some lane restrictions.
Larry Malisey back over to you.
I love Bob speak.
You're set to jet.
Yes his own language.
He's like a young Jerry Blabit.
Alright up next Beesley Rees live in Foxborough where the Eagles will begin the preseason
tonight.
Bees.
Alright this is Gillette Stadium and the birds are testing out the field right now behind
me.
I'll have a full pregame report coming up in sports.
Dreams do come true.
I'm Conrad Dean.
Pete Young.
The new bad boy.
But not always the way we imagined them.
The canadies' car dropped off in a shot in Brooklyn.
Are those drugs yours?
You should ask your boy about that.
If I cover for Baines I go to jail.
If I don't the team hates me.
What should I do?
Follow your heart.
Do you care?
Mayor Winningham.
Christopher Lloyd.
Clubhouse.
CBS Tuesdays this fall.
Let the preseason games begin.
A lot of people are going to be watching especially his first quarter tonight Beesley Rees.
Yeah you better believe it.
Donovan McNabb just took the field behind me.
Several of the players are out here checking out the turf at Gillette Stadium and I think
they'll find that this place looks very much like Lincoln Financial Field.
Right to a brand new state of the art stadium.
So the birds will be at home as far as that is concerned.
Let's take a look at what happened a few moments ago.
The team arrived.
Getting off the bus.
Getting ready to start the 2004 season.
What we know will be a season of promise.
All the players very excited about playing this first preseason game and basically they
want to get off to a great start.
I hope we look good.
I mean we've been banging each other.
We've had a real physical camp so we're definitely going to be ready for the contact.
New England's a very tough team.
They hit hard so I think we'll be ready for it by the way we prepare.
It's the preseason.
The fellas know what we can do.
The coaches know what we're capable of doing.
It's just in there for us to get our timing right so when the season comes we'll have
everything on point.
Alright I'm calling it the fun from Foxboro.
It all starts in about an hour.
Our pregame show starting at 730 leading you right to the kickoff right here on CBS 3.
Larry will pop over to Dave and Buster's and WYSP at 7 o'clock if you're in your car you
can check out their pregame show.
Steve Bucci will be a part of that.
8 p.m. the kickoff right here live from Gillette Stadium and you'll see it on CBS 3.
I'm going to go and watch these players warm up.
Live from Foxboro this is Beasley.
Respect to you.
Hey Beasley tell me what you're looking for tonight.
I'm looking to see how the defensive backs play and the first round draft choice in that
starting lineup can they run the ball behind him.
You know people are going to go crazy if Terrell gets a pass and runs it in.
That'll be a lead story tonight.
Expect it to happen.
Oh really?
Prediction from the Beasley.
You heard it there.
So the game's on tonight then tonight on CBS 3.
Our witness news at 11 will have reaction from fans and your first postgame interviews.
Full Eagles coverage tonight at 11 o'clock.
Cathy Orr one last look at weather important weather forecast.
Absolutely we had Hurricane Charlie a category four major storm make landfall about three
hours ago near Cape Coral crossing 75 across Port Charlotte Florida.
We know lots of folks that live down there.
My in-laws are in Sarasota.
It's driving toward the north northeast.
We will feel its effects as early as tomorrow night.
So please pay attention to the forecast tonight.
11 an update and of course tomorrow morning.
Bob Kelly brought up a good point.
I feel sorry for people who are vacationing down there this week.
That's our news at 6.
I'm Larry Mendte.
And I'm Alicia Lane.
CBS Evening News with Dan Rather is next with more on Hurricane Charlie.
Thanks for watching.
Be sure to join us tonight at 11 o'clock.
Go Eagles.
See, Charlie slams the Florida coach.