Judge OKs release of Mitt Romney testimony in Stemberg divorce case

CANTON, Mass. — A Massachusetts judge will allow the release of testimony by GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney in the decades-old divorce of Staples founder Tom Stemberg.

Lawyers for The Boston Globe argued that the public has a right to know what's in the testimony.

Attorneys for Romney, Stemberg and Staples did not object to releasing the documents but had asked for a day to review them, which the judge granted.

The hearing resumed Thursday and the judge said it was OK to release the documents.

Lawyer Gloria Allred, representing Stemberg's ex-wife, also wanted the judge to lift a gag order that prevents Maureen Sullivan Stemberg from discussing the testimony. The judge said the former Mrs. Stemberg needs to file a separate request.

Allred said she'll file a motion as early as next week seeking to lift the order.

Staples was founded with backing from Romney's firm, Bain Capital.

Wednesday, Romney attorney Robert Jones issued a statement, saying, "This is a decades-old divorce case in which Mitt Romney provided testimony as to the value of a company," and that Romney "has no objection to letting the public see that testimony."