"Several weeks ago, I had to do the toughest thing I have ever done -- tell my family I had not lived up to their trust, expectation and love. I was not faithful to my family," Wise said in a release from his press office. "I knew it was wrong, and now I must take full responsibility.
"I apologize deeply to the people of our state for my actions. In my private life, I have let many people down."
Wise's press secretary was contacted after a Kanawha County man confirmed today that his divorce case in Kanawha County Family Court alleges his wife has been having a relationship with another man, whom he identified as Wise. Philip Frye, 40, declined to comment on specifics but said that his divorce case includes allegations that the man he identified as Wise and Frye's wife, Angela Mascia-Frye, had been having an affair for some time.
"I didn't come down with the last rain," Frye, a musician who lives in Hugheston in eastern Kanawha County, said. "I let this thing go on for months so I could get as much evidence as I possibly could.
"I had private detectives all over this thing. I've got pictures and documents -- all kinds of hard evidence."
Frye said he is going to withhold exact details of the allegations or a copy of his divorce filing for the time being, but said he placed much of the blame on Wise for failure of his almost seven-year marriage.
"That little weasel-faced bastard," Frye said. "Typical Democrat." Frye said he had had less success with his music career lately and the financial strain caused by the divorce was great. He said he was hoping to be able to sell his story because of Wise's involvement. Frye's lawyer, Joe Cometti, said no specific names are listed in his client's divorce filings. He said allegations of that nature are usually made anonymously in such filings.
"Other than that, there isn't anything I can say for now," Cometti said.
Mascia-Frye, 35, oversees European operations for the West Virginia Development Office. She accompanied Wise on a visit to Spain last year. Mascia-Frye had been in Italy and went to Spain to meet Wise in the city of Bilbao in the Basque region of the country. Mascia-Frye, who joined the office in March 2001 and is paid $43,920 a year, declined to comment on the allegations.
"I completely can't say anything at this time," Mascia-Frye said today from her office at the Capitol Complex.
When asked whether Wise was involved with Mascia-Frye, Press Secretary Amy Shuler Goodwin replied, "I don't talk about the governor's personal life."
When asked whether Wise would go before reporters or the public to make a statement, Goodwin would only refer to the written statement she had issued and say, "This is the governor's statement at this time."
Wise made no specific reference to an extra-marital affair in his statement but focused on the sensitive and familial nature of the situation. "I believe in accountability. I also hope one day for forgiveness, but I know that forgiveness must be earned," Wise said in the statement. "This is a very personal issue for my family and I ask for privacy during this time. I particularly ask that the privacy of my wife and children be respected."
Wise changed his plans for personal appearances today after his office was contacted about the allegations. He was scheduled to hand out Promise scholarships to seniors at Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley at noon, but Deputy Press Secretary Jodi Omear said she expected someone else to represent the governor at that ceremony. Wise also canceled a 3 p.m. appearance at the state's surplus property center in Dunbar, where he was scheduled to make a pre-auction announcement. Charleston Daily Mail
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Why does he say he wasn't faithful to his family? I think his wife is the aggrieved party here. Yes, the children are affected, but it's exceedingly rude of him to act like this isn't a violation of his vow to his wife. Governor Sleaze is scheduled to appear in my neck of the woods tomorrow to hand out Promise Scholarships and, thus far, there's no indication he'll cancel. It will be interesting to see what type of reception he'll receive.