Kim Ellison: Public will see no signs of abuse in divorce documents

(KMSP) - After a judge denied an appeal to keep the divorce file of Keith Ellison and ex-wife Kim private, Kim Ellison addressed the media to explain why she wanted them to remain sealed. The documents are set to be released Wednesday.

Surrounded by three of her four children she shares with Keith, Kim spoke very quietly as she explained why she doesn’t want the file released.

“Keith is fighting to keep them sealed, because I don’t want them unsealed,” she said.

Kim and Keith Ellison divorced years ago, but remain supportive of one another. Kim Ellison said Keith wants the divorce documents sealed because it contains detailed information of Kim’s mental health at the time of the divorce, information the Ellison’s believe should remain private.

“A few years before our divorce, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I was scared, confused, worried, angry, and I became very depressed. The file contains details of my depression,” she said.

The Star Tribune and Alpha News sued to have the file released after ex-girlfriend Karen Monahan claimed she was abused by Keith Ellison. Ellison denies the allegations.

“I’m ashamed that a judge finds it OK to exploit somebody’s mental illness, and it’s unconscionable that Alpha News and the Star Tribune wanna use it to influence the outcome of an election,” she said.

But Kim Ellison also made it clear the news outlets who sue will not find what they’re looking for.

“There was never any abuse in our marriage, and there’s nothing in the files to say that there was,” she said. 

Aside from medical and financial information, Kim Ellison said she is OK if the rest of the divorce file is released.