Posted on 07/05/2003 2:54:27 AM PDT by Liz
Plays polo, calls talk of affair 'nonsense'
The polo-playing bar owner identified as the "other man" in the Andrew Cuomo-Kerry Kennedy Cuomo breakup insisted yesterday, "I love my wife."
Bruce Colley, who didn't seem to have a care in the world as he played polo in the afternoon, even insisted, "Andrew was a friend," then quickly added, "Is, I hope."
Colley pledged his heart to his wife, Ann, in an interview with the Daily News, even as sources close to him confirmed a dalliance with Kennedy Cuomo.
The affair prompted a confrontation between Cuomo and Bruce Colley in the days before the marriage unraveled, sources said.
Colley, who has played polo with Prince Charles and his sons, William and Harry, cut a dashing figure yesterday at the Mashomack Polo Club in Pine Plains, Dutchess County, as the scandal unfolded.
"It's nonsense," Colley said in his most extensive interview since his name was linked with Kennedy Cuomo's, as he donned his helmet just before mounting his horse.
"I'm happily married. I love my wife," he said of Ann Colley, who wasn't there, but whom he said he was meeting later. "I don't know how these things get started. But I hope it'll end soon. I'm trying to be polite, but it's very upsetting."
Surprising remark
Sources close to both the Cuomos and the Colleys were surprised by Bruce Colley's comments.
"Why is he denying this so strongly when he knows it's true?" commented one source close to both couples.
As Colley played polo and the scandal played out in New York City, the cast of characters involved was scattered about the tristate area.
While Cuomo couldn't be reached for comment, his estranged wife put on a brave public face yesterday and spent time with her family at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Mass.
Kennedy Cuomo even marched in the local Fourth of July parade, snapping pictures with a camera as her children rode in a float.
She appeared to be shying away from the crowds and the photographers taking her picture, but managed to smile - even donning a red-white-and-blue straw hat at one point - as her children rode in the parade.
Sources described Kennedy Cuomo as "in love" with Colley, and said there had been discussions about Colley leaving his wife.
Cuomo and his wife announced on Monday they were splitting. That night, after Kennedy Cuomo released a statement different from the one the couple had jointly given to reporters, Cuomo's lawyer said his client had felt "betrayed."
The next day, sources close to the couple said Kennedy Cuomo had cheated on her husband, and Bruce Colley's name surfaced 24 hours later.
Sources close to the Colleys said Bruce, the co-owner of the Chelsea hot spot Man Ray, confided to friends about the affair, which spanned months but was less than a year old.
Bruce Colley's lawyer, Michael Kennedy, could not be reached for comment. He is not related to Kennedy Cuomo
But Frank McHugh, Man Ray general manager, said, "Everyone working here was shocked to see our boss on the front page."
He called the reports of an affair "mind-boggling to anyone who works here," adding that the Colleys seemed to be in love.
The Colleys have been married for less than a decade, and have one son together.
Ann Colley, who grew up in North Carolina, has a son from a previous marriage who lives with the couple.
With Jordan Carleo-Evangelist, Celeste Katz, Fiona McDonough, Chelsea Phua and Barbara Ross
I suppose that depends on how you define the word "IS"
Here are the choices we have based on Mr. Colley's statements:
1. He is lying and there was an affair.
2. He is telling the truth and there was no affair between Colley and Kerry.
If he is telling the truth, we have three interesting choices:
A. Cuomo believes there was an affair, based on what his wife told him, perhaps to distract him from her REAL lover.
B. Cuomo is paranoid and believes there was an affair, when there was nothing but friendship (Nutty as a fruitcake option).
C. Kerry believes there was an affair, or the potential for one, and threw it in Cuomo's face. (Nutty as a fruitcake option, part deux)
This is an interesting development. Who is telling the truth? Why is Kerry holed up in Hyannisport? Why did the wife throw a birthday party for Colley if this was going on? Did Andrew really catch them in the act, or simply see them together and the story has been amplified by his faction? Did Cuomo catch someone, but NOT Colley? Maybe Mrs. Colley?
More here than meets the eye, IMHO.
Note how the tabloids have come down in either the Cuomo or Kennedy camp. Look at all the "helpful" comments from both sides.
Now, why would all of this leaking be about Colley from the Kennedy camp?
I always look for the dog that didn't bark.
Good advice!
There's a lot of truth in that. I've maintained Kerry's real game was with one of her endless cousins.
I think I am going to see if I can find that for you. It was mind-boggling!
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