Celebrity News

Ex-pol Betsy in brutal battle

Former state Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey is embroiled in an ugly court feud between her wealthy 80-year-old boyfriend and his embittered stepdaughter.

The blond ex-pol, who served under George Pataki, has been living with married Oppenheimer Capital founder Charles Brunie in Westchester and wants to use his cash to finance a Senate race against Kirsten Gillibrand, sources claim.

Charles’ stepdaughter, Jean Yankus, has filed a complaint against him for her mother, Charles’ wife — also named Jean — who has severe dementia and lives separately under the care of nurses in nearby Bronxville.

The suit filed in Westchester Supreme Court states: “[Charles] moved [wife Jean] out of [his home at 21 Elmrock Rd.] and into a residence . . . Betsy McCaughey immediately moved into the premises and resides with [Charles].” It claims Charles in 2007 “physically manipulated [Jean’s] hand in [causing] her to sign . . . a mortgage . . . to borrow $500,000 from J.P. Morgan Chase.”

The suit also claims Charles told Oppenheimer & Co. to hold $2 million in an account to limit the funds Yankus could withdraw for Jean’s living expenses.

“His friends think he has a wet brain,” our source said. “Betsy showed up to court last week in thigh-high boots and a minidress.”

McCaughey fired back to us, “The lawsuit is coming from unemployed, greedy stepchildren who are trying to get money out of him. Charles has supported [Jean] with astounding, lavish generosity, and they have brought this suit because they fear that if Mr. Brunie moves on with his life, [and] divorces, they will not inherit his wealth.”

As for her interest in taking on Gillibrand, McCaughey — who once accused her billionaire ex-husband Wilbur L. Ross Jr. of reneging on a promise to finance her campaign for the 1998 Democratic nomination for governor — said: “No. I have no plans at this time to run for public office. I haven’t been in public office for 15 years.”

Charles said of the mortgage claim, “I never used that line of credit.” Of Jean’s living expenses, he said, “I just increased it to $45,000 a month; sounds pretty good to me.”