McCourt divorce trial opens in Los Angeles with ownership of Dodgers on the line

Divorce trial of Dodgers owner opens in Calif.

LOS ANGELES — Frank McCourt’s attorney says his client’s estranged wife knew what she was doing when she signed away her ownership rights to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Frank and Jamie McCourt were both in the packed courtroom Monday for the opening of the divorce trial, where ownership of the Dodgers is at stake.

Frank McCourt’s attorney Steve Susman says Jamie McCourt signed a postnuptial agreement in 2004 that said the team belonged to Frank McCourt because she didn’t want her husband’s creditors going after the couple’s six luxurious homes listed in her name.

Earlier in the day, Jamie McCourt’s attorney argued that copies of the agreement had been switched to list the Dodgers as Frank McCourt’s separate property.

Frank McCourt fired his wife from the front office last year, accusing her of having an affair.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An attorney for Jamie McCourt says her estranged husband deceived her so he could get sole ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jamie and Frank McCourt, who were both in the packed courtroom for the opening of the divorce trial, are embroiled in a nasty dispute with ownership of the team at stake.

Attorney Dennis Wasser argued Monday before a judge that a postnuptial agreement signed by the couple in 2004 is not valid.

He says three copies say the Dodgers belong to Frank McCourt while three others say the team is excluded from his assets.

Frank McCourt’s attorney blames the inconsistency on a typographical error.

Frank McCourt fired his wife from the front office last year, accusing her of having an affair.