The high-profile divorce between former CBS News anchor Josh Elliott and his wife, ABC journalist Liz Cho, has descended into a protracted and acrimonious legal battle, with court documents revealing a series of contentious demands and accusations.
Irretrievable Breakdown and Initial Filings
Josh Elliott, aged 54, initiated divorce proceedings in June of last year, citing an "irretrievable" breakdown of their marriage, which began in 2015 after a two-year courtship. The filing came not long after Elliott's departure from CBS in February 2017, a move that reportedly involved him announcing his resignation to pursue a larger role within the company without prior approval from his superiors, leading to his dismissal.
Cho's Extensive Evidence Requests
In response to Elliott's filing in November, Liz Cho, 55, submitted a detailed request for evidence, seeking copies of written correspondence between Elliott and any individuals with whom he had romantic or sexual relationships from July 11, 2015, to the present. This demand encompassed a wide range of communication platforms, including Facebook, WeChat, voicemails, text messages, and other social media channels.
Elliott objected to these requests, labeling them as "unreasonable, unnecessary, harassing and not likely to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence" due to the extensive time frame involved. Despite his objections, Cho continued to press for additional documentation, including bank statements, travel invoices for hotels, motels, airlines, or car services, and any evidence related to Elliott's job search activities.
Allegations of Property Removal and Contempt
The conflict escalated in January when Cho filed for contempt against Elliott, alleging that he hired a moving truck to remove a "significant amount of furniture and furnishings" from their marital home while she and her daughter were on vacation. She also claimed that Elliott took their two Portuguese Water Dogs, which were supposed to remain at the residence, and reported missing valuable jewelry, including a watch and earrings, which she believes Elliott possesses.
Cho described these actions as a "willful violation" of court orders. In contrast, Elliott countered that he only removed a "small amount of furniture" to create a safe haven for himself and his minor child from what he described as Cho's "escalating and erratic behavior." He denied allegations of ransacking the home and asserted that the property was not damaged or rendered uninhabitable.
Mutual Accusations and Financial Demands
Elliott further accused Cho of monitoring his phone calls, rifling through his possessions, and leaving their home for extended periods without communication, despite the dogs requiring daily care. Meanwhile, Cho's financial demands in the divorce include seeking reimbursement for monies spent on or by any person with whom Elliott had a romantic or sexual relationship, as well as property transferred to such individuals.
Career Context and Future Prospects
Liz Cho has been a prominent figure at ABC since 2003, contributing to programs like Eyewitness News, Good Morning America, and World News Tonight. Elliott, on the other hand, faced professional setbacks after his CBS exit, with rumors suggesting he may return to CBS Mornings amid the ongoing divorce proceedings. Representatives for both parties have been contacted for comment, but responses remain pending as the legal dispute continues to unfold.
