Report: Brinkley's husband apologizes

updated 11:14 p.m. ET July 25, 2006

NEW YORK - Christie Brinkley’s estranged husband has been silent about recent reports that he had an affair with an 18-year-old employee while married to the supermodel. Now his reportedly desperate apology is receiving a very public airing.

“This is an aberration,” Peter Cook, 47, said through a lawyer, according to a column by Cindy Adams published Tuesday in the New York Post. “I’m sorry. I’m contrite. I’m stupid. Foolish. No excuse.”

Adams wrote that Cook’s words were provided to her by his attorney, Norman Sheresky.

“I love my wife. ... For a lifetime I’ve tried to prove how much I love her,” Cook said, according to the article.

Sheresky said that Cook, the model’s fourth husband, is hoping for a reconciliation with Brinkley, 52.

“He got involved, in over his head somehow, and he wants to make it up to her for the rest of his life,” said Sheresky, who also defended Cook as a “man who loves his wife and who loves his children.”

Brinkley’s publicist, Elliot Mintz, told The Associated Press early Tuesday that he did not believe she would ask him to issue a response.

“This is not the way for people to have a discourse or a discussion about private matters,” he said.

FREE VIDEO This week in infidelity July 25: Christie Brinkley's in a marital mess, and Pat O'Brien's making waves on the Internet again. It's time for Michael Musto of the Village Voice. Countdown

The couple’s separation exploded in scandal earlier this month when Diana Bianchi, now 19, claimed Cook had seduced her shortly after hiring her to work at his architecture firm.

Her lawyer, Joseph Tacopina, described the relationship as consensual, but claimed Cook’s role as employer and his gifts of a car, money and jewelry could possibly constitute sexual harassment.

“The idea that the other person involved didn’t knowingly consent to this relationship is garbage,” said Sheresky, who quoted Cook as saying, “I took no advantage.”

‘Far from the truth’
Tacopina said Tuesday that Cook’s characterization of the relationship was “far from the truth.” Although Cook didn’t physically force himself on Bianchi, Tacopina said, “this is a lack of legal consent because of the relationship of employee and employer.”

Days after Bianchi came forward, a 29-year-old woman, Samantha Cole, told the Post that Cook had proposed marriage to her when she was 19, a month before he became engaged to Brinkley.

According to the report, Sheresky said Cook would respect Brinkley’s wishes, whatever the result.

“He hopes there’s no divorce. IF she wants one, and he certainly hopes this doesn’t happen, but IF — it will not be nasty,” Sheresky said, according to the Post. “She can have whatever she wants.”

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