Rosenberg v. Rosenberg

Henry Rosenberg, Jr. (defendant) and Eleanor Rosenberg (plaintiff) were married for 32 years. Mr. Rosenberg received, by gift or inheritance, stock in the American Trading and Production Corporation (ATAPCO), a family business. ATAPCO was a major shareholder in Crown Central Petroleum Corporation (Crown). During the marriage, Mr. Rosenberg worked as a high-level executive and board member of Crown and ATAPCO. His income and benefits were substantial, and the value of his stock soared. At the time of the couple’s divorce, his net worth was approximately $33 million. Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberg agreed early in the marriage that she would oversee the raising of their children and the maintenance of the household so that Mr. Rosenberg could concentrate on his career. Mrs. Rosenberg also entertained and performed other duties in support of her husband’s career. Mr. Rosenberg admittedly neglected his wife and family. He also committed adultery on numerous occasions over at least 15 years. In 1981, Mr. Rosenberg left the marital home with no intention to return. Mrs. Rosenberg filed for divorce on the grounds of adultery, abandonment, and desertion. Mr. Rosenberg cross-petitioned on the ground of a two-year separation. After contentious litigation and a four-week trial, the court found that Mrs. Rosenberg had contributed more to the couple’s accumulation of marital property than Mr. Rosenberg but that she was not entitled to any of his family stock. The court awarded her $1,520,000 plus a share of proceeds from a sale of the marital home; $275,000 per year in alimony; and counsel fees and expenses of nearly $225,000. Both parties appealed.