Dallas hedge-fund mogul James Dondero did a Texas two-step on Thursday in his closely watched divorce trial, The Post has learned.
Dondero, 49, the co-founder and president of the $18 billion asset manager Highland Capital Management, locked in a bitter two-year divorce court battle with his wife, Rebecca, claims the pre-nup should be ripped up because she violated its terms by asking for more than the $5 million maximum pre-nup payout.
Dondero and his lawyers are trying to persuade a Dallas state court jury at a trial this week that his 33-year-old wife, known as Becky, breached the pre-nuptial agreement. A decision is expected Friday.
If the jury agrees with James Dondero, Becky could get nothing.
His lawyers claim once she asked in pre-trial hearings for the pre-nup to be tossed because she wanted more money, that broke the terms of the agreement, sources said.
James Dondero is making an unusual claim, Dallas divorce lawyer Michael Rubin, who is not involved in the case, said.
Usually, partners who try to get a pre-nuptial tossed do so on claims of infidelity, he said.
A jury, Rubin said, may agree with James Dondero on the legalities of Rebecca breaking the pre-nup agreement and still rule in her favor. “They could say that’s not fair” for her to walk away with nothing.
“That happens sometimes,” Rubin said. Lawyers for the two sides declined comment.