Most people cynically believe that well-connected, rich or politically powerful people are given favorable treatment in many instances. And in this case, they might be onto something. Political and personal connections paid off for Georgia state House Speaker, Glenn Richardson, in his recent quickie divorce.

In the same afternoon, his divorce case was filed, a hearing was held in private, and a final decree of divorce was granted by a judge who had been a partner in Richardson's law firm. This was done despite state law calling for a 30-day waiting period before a divorce becomes final. The case documents were ordered sealed immediately, with no time limit, to protect the couple and their three children.

Georgia law requires a hearing on which documents should be sealed and for how long. The facts will be kept from public scrutiny of the press and researchers. Another irregularity was the side-stepping of the judge who, through rotation, should've heard the case. Some observers feel that Richardson was able to select his judge, a friend and former partner, who would hear the case in chambers.

The frenzy swirling around this divorce began last year when Georgia democrats filed an ethics complaint against the Pepublican Speaker, alleging he had an "inappropriate relationship with a lobbyist" at the same time as he was cosponsoring legislation that would benefit her employer. This complaint was dismissed by a committee of the Legislature.

With the divorce papers secreted away, Georgia citizens have suspicions which cannot be confirmed. Sometimes the appearance of wrong doing is almost as damaging as the facts which could verify the allegations. This special treatment for a well-placed individual makes the public skeptical about influence peddlers who cast a cloud over divorce court procedures. Georgians will never know the truth nor understand the reasons for this extra ordinary procedure. According to one observer, this was a first for this county.

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