For years, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have been locked in a bitter divorce settlement, and things are heating up again. In a recent turn of events, Jolie asked that the private judge who was overseeing the case be removed, but insiders claim the actress is using the demand as a "stall tactic" because Pitt is "winning" in the settlement and custody arrangements of their six children.
On Monday, Jolie requested in a filing made in Los Angeles Superior Court that Judge John W. Ouderkirk be disqualified from the case over claims that he had business relationships with Pitt's attorney, Anne C. Kiley. The "Maleficent" star claimed that the judge "failed to disclose the cases that demonstrated the current, ongoing, repeat-customer relationship between the judge and Respondent’s counsel."
However, a source close to the case told The Sun that Jolie was trying to delay things because they were not working out in her favor.
"This is a low blow from Ange and a typical stall tactic used by people who don't like how the case is going," the family friend said. "If you feel you are winning, you don't try and stop the process and change the referee, so Ange’s latest move is testament to her frustration at the settlement not going her way."
The insider added that Jolie would be acting differently if things had been panning out for her.
"If it was, she would never want to rock the boat by requesting for their private judge to be removed," the source said. "Ange’s filing only serves the interests of someone who wants the process to continue indefinitely as it's going to further delay their divorce being finalized and drag it out even longer."
In Jolie's filing, she stated that Kiley had "actively advocated for Judge Ouderkirk´s financial interests in moving — over the opposing party’s opposition — to have his appointment (and his ability to continue to receive fees) extended in a high profile case," The U.K.'s Independent reported.
Jolie's divorce attorney, Samantha Bley DeJean, added: "As is set forth in the filing, all my client is asking for is a fair trial based on facts, with no special favors extended to either side. The only way litigants can trust the process is for everyone involved to ensure that there is transparency and impartiality."