This Kitty Got the Cream

The former Mrs. Juan Courtney Cunningham has parted ways with her Republican lobbyist husband. To the alimony tune of $11,500 per month. Kitty Cunningham, 44, began divorce proceedings against her 44-year-old husband,of the Coral Gables-based Barreto, Cunningham and May public affairs firm, in April 2005 saying their marriage was "irretrievably broken." The couple wed 14 years ago in Bemuda.

Courtney is an attorney, consultant, lobbyist, and government relations consultant whose influence extends from Miami to the halls of power in Tallahassee. Gov. Jeb Bush recently appointed him a University of Florida trustee.

Indeed, according to a financial affidavit dated May 2005, Courtney boasts a net worth of almost $1.2 million. He lists his occupation as a "consultant" who works from his home address in Pinecrest and earns a monthly wage of $16,666. He also claims to generate an additional $57,315 per month from "sources such as self-employment, partnerships, and or/ independent contracts." Tack on an estimated $7,704 for "monthly reimbursed expenses" and Courtney's monthly gross income tops the $81,000 mark.

In addition to alimony and child support ($3,500 per month), the couple agreed Kitty would receive half of the sum in their checking account -- $40,000. And in May 2005 she moved out of their former family home -- market value: $2.3 million. The property was refinanced and she was awarded a portion of the profit -- $416,000.

Joanne Green