Why Christie Brinkley Finally Divorced Peter Cook

When Christie Brinkley showed up to speak at Southampton High School’s commencement ceremony, Southampton Village Police Officer Brian Platt informed Brinkley that her husband, architect Peter Cook, had been seeing his 18-year-old assistant, Diana Bianchi. Cook met the then-17-year-old months before when she worked at a toy store. He quickly offered her a job as his assistant. Cook reportedly paid her $300,000 to keep their romance private.

Despite the large hush money payment, Bianchi spoke with The New York Post in July 2006 alongside her lawyer Joseph Tacopina. She dropped a bombshell, claiming she was underage when Cook started pursuing her. According to Bianchi, they began a sexual relationship behind Brinkley’s back, and Cook justified the affair by claiming that his marriage was on thin ice. Eventually, Bianchi ended things with the older man. In July 2008, Cook confessed to the affair shortly before his divorce from Brinkley was settled. In addition to the lump sum, he often gave Bianchi spending money and paid her thousands to write articles for his website. He’d also admitted to sleeping with Bianchi in his office and at least one property owned by Brinkley.

Post source: The List