Peter Petrakis. (dennisthephotog.com/Dennis A. Clark)
A Long Island executive who stands to lose millions after his wife convinced a judge to overturn their pre-nup is appealing to the state’s highest court.
Real estate honcho Peter Petrakis threatened to cancel his 1998 wedding to pretty wife Elizabeth unless she signed the agreement just four days before their ceremony — a scheme that invalidated the pre-nup, a Brooklyn appeals court ruled in a precedent-setting decision in February.
After that Petrakis, who Elizabeth says is worth $20 million, tried to settle with his wife — but she rejected him.
Now, he wants the Court of Appeals to overturn the ruling.
Petrakis “did not anticipate the publicity and he wants his side of the story to be told,” said his lawyer, Stephen Gassman. “We think there’s a very important issue here.’’
“The purpose of pre-nuptial agreements is to avoid going to court. It never should have been a credibility contest,’’ said Gassman.
Elizabeth Petrakis said she was shocked to hear that the legal warfare would continue — because her husband told her last week he was ready to give up the legal battles and settle their divorce case after the court ruled against him.
“I hope that this is not the case, but, if it is, I guess it’s time to put the boxing gloves back on,’’ said Elizabeth. “My husband told me he wants to settle amicably.’’
Under the pre-nup, Elizabeth only got $25,000 a year. But after the Brooklyn court ruling, she is seeking half of her husband’s assets.
Gassman said he will soon file paperwork with the State Court of Appeals, asking for it to review and rule on the case. The court decides whether to accept cases.