DOCUMENT: Crime

Moonves: "I Want To Get On With My Life"

CBS honcho wants divorce granted, will hash out detail$ later

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Moonves: "I Want To Get On With My Life"

DECEMBER 1--CBS boss Leslie Moonves is so anxious to return to the single life that he has asked a California judge to immediately grant him a divorce--despite the fact that he has yet to work out alimony, child support, and property division arrangements with his estranged wife.

Since his 25-year marriage cratered last year, Moonves, 55, has been stepping out with Julie Chen, 34, a co-host of CBS's "The Early Show."

In a Los Angeles Superior Court motion seeking to "bifurcate" his divorce action, Moonves stated, "I wish to go forward with my life, both emotionally and financially. For instance, the status of my marriage should not affect investments I wish to make, nor should it affect my taxes or business dealings."

Anticipating a possible "lengthy trial" on various contested financial matters, Moonves argued that an expedited divorce decree would alleviate "emotional strain, and would help to promote settlement of the reserved issues" with Nancy Moonves, who cited "irreconcilable differences" when she filed for divorce last year (the couple has three children).

While Nancy Moonves has yet to reply to the bifurcation request, a hearing on Leslie's "desire to return to the status of being single" is scheduled for December 10.

In June, Moonves was named co-president of Viacom, where he oversees the entertainment giant's television, radio, and outdoor advertising operations. (6 pages)