Evidence in Gibbons vs. Gibbons divorce painfully dribbles in

A couple of bits of information have surfaced to support first lady Dawn Gibbons’ contention her estranged husband is romantically involved with Kathy Karrasch, known otherwise as the “other woman” in divorce papers.

First, the woman’s husband, Reno podiatrist Craig Karrasch, isn’t answering press calls but has been chatting freely with at least one patient in recent weeks.

The podiatrist told the patient that his wife, Kathy, left him eight months ago and that he believes she and Gov. Jim Gibbons are seeing each other. The patient told others, including my source, the doctor was upset and talked about it throughout a half-hour appointment.

Why the foot doctor would talk about his marriage and the governor to a patient is hard to fathom.

The second piece of information is found in the book “From Bordello to Ballot Box,” published in 2001. Author Jessi Winchester, a former legal prostitute and sometime political candidate, wrote about seeing Jim Gibbons with another woman during the 1996 campaign.

He was running for Congress as a Republican, and Winchester was seeking the same post as a Democrat. He won the race in November; she lost in the primary to Spike Wilson.

On pages 162 and 163 of her book, Winchester told of seeing Jim Gibbons with a pregnant woman taking the plane from Las Vegas to Reno after the AFL-CIO convention, where they were all seeking labor’s endorsement. That’s well within the 15-year time period the governor acknowledges a friendship with an unnamed woman.

In the book, Winchester described spotting him waiting for the same plane. “A lady sat next to him and they were laughing, oblivious to the crowd of people waiting around them. Hooker instinct kicked in. The woman clearly was not his wife and the situation smacked of nonbusiness fraternization.”

Winchester said she grabbed a camera and took a photo. (However, she has not found that photo.)

She wrote that Jim Gibbons and the “unknown lady” sat in the “back row huddled together giggling and completely engrossed in each other’s company.”

Winchester said her “hooker instinct” made her curious about the nature of the relationship. “Especially since she was pregnant.”

When the plane landed, he was among the first to leave the plane, and the woman delayed getting off.

Near baggage claim, the woman went to get her bag. “Walking toward the opposite end of the terminal, we saw Gibbons’ wife wave to him as he strode toward their Suburban.”

On Thursday, Winchester confirmed the other woman was Kathy Karrasch. She said Karrasch and Gibbons were “acting like high school sweethearts, not just platonic friends,” basing her conclusion on her experience in Nevada’s legal brothels.

Winchester said she didn’t name Karrasch in the book because her publisher edited out a reference to “Mrs. K.”

Winchester said she became friends with Dawn and Jim Gibbons while on the campaign trail. Her book includes a photo of Winchester standing between them. “I didn’t see him as a womanizer,” Winchester said, adding that he was “always respectful and a gentleman” with her.

Winchester, who ran for lieutenant governor in 1998 and lost, now lives on a ranch outside Winnemucca, writing columns and giving lectures.

Now laughing and giggling on a plane isn’t proof of an affair. But add that to Craig Karrasch’s indiscreet chatting with his patient.

It lends credence to those who say Dawn Gibbons is telling the truth, and her husband is not, about his involvement with the “other woman.”

If it’s true, what would be so wrong about saying he’s in love with someone else? It happens. And it would end this entire back and forth about who is telling the truth.

Because Nevada is a no-fault divorce state, it makes no difference to the court, though a public airing of such allegations against a very public figure might hasten or sweeten alimony or property settlement negotiations.

Jim Gibbons has shown an arrogant recklessness in his public appearances with Kathy Karrasch, whether in 1996 when he was a congressional candidate or in 2008, when he’s a sitting governor faced with budget challenges seldom seen in Nevada.

Is it a distraction he and the state can afford to play out one bit of evidence at a time?

Jane Ann Morrison’s column appears Monday, Thursday and Saturday. E-mail her at Jane@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0275.