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Selling Sunset’s Jeff Lazkani responded to his wife Chelsea’s divorce filing, alleging that she “struck” him in the face and claiming some “personal belongings” went missing since the split.
Chelsea filed last month before reports surfaced that he allegedly cheated. The exes share two kids together, a three-year-old daughter and a four-year-old son.
PEOPLE obtained court docs – reportedly filed on April 2 – showing that Jeff also desires the divorce due to irreconcilable differences.
In a written declaration to the court, the 40-year-old accused his estranged wife of “exhibiting suspicious behavior,” alleging some of his “personal belongings” were taken or disappeared from their home after she filed in March.
His declaration claims she “struck” Jeff “in the face in an aggressive manner, breaking his glasses and causing a small cut on the side of his face.”
Jeff alleged that neither of them should reside at the Manhattan Beach house, pointing out that he’s the primary owner. He claimed she “provokes” him and then “records him in an attempt to catch him overreacting to her.”
He also alleged she was “physically aggressive” both before and after the divorce filing, and she “installed a lock on the primary bedroom to” his “exclusion, remotely monitors his access to the property, and records him at the property.”
He’s requesting “exclusive use and possession of” the house, purchased in 2018 for $2.9 million. Jeff claimed he thinks it’s currently worth $4.2 million, and he holds a property reimbursement claim of $2.1 million for this property after using it toward his down payment.
Per court docs, Jeff alleged he was “stunned” to discover the divorce filing through a text from TMZ, and Chelsea never responded when he immediately messaged her about it. He claimed he later discovered that Chelsea opened an independent bank account amid her filing.
He alleged Chelsea’s brother began sleeping at the house without informing Jeff, and the last time Jeff slept at the house was the day he learned about her divorce filing.
His response claimed that some possessions went missing since their breakup, including a scarf “left to him by” a late family matriarch, a spare key for his vehicle, and his dad’s hat. He claimed Chelsea admitted to moving a Rolex after Jeff couldn’t locate it when he asked where it was. She “has also been sneaking around the property and attempted” to enter his room “when she thought he was not home,” he alleged.
He’s asking that Chelsea have two days to take what she needs from the home, but she should only get a two-hour timeframe to do it. Jeff also requests the presence of a “neutral party” to help the exes divide any possessions of dispute.
Jeff said he’s “already paying and agrees to continue to pay the mortgage, utilities, and any other encumbrances” for the house, and he has not slept in their primary suite with Chelsea since soon after the birth of their child because of “post-pregnancy discomforts and sleep schedules.”
He claimed he previously suggested moving back to the bedroom, but Chelsea “refused” after she grew “accustomed to her own sleep space.” According to Jeff, Chelsea has options for other housing, and she can dwell with her friend Savannah who lives close by – or she can stay at an Airbnb.
He supplied a copy of his purchase agreement for the house from 2018 and a loan estimate listing only him as the applicant.
Jeff attached texts he allegedly sent her, calling out that she filed without informing him, and asking where his spare key is and why she attempted to get in his room after “avoiding me since yesterday.” She seemingly didn’t respond.
He didn’t make requests regarding child support, per his response, and he wants them both to pay for their own lawyer fees.
Jeff said he doesn’t want the court to grant either himself or Chelsea spousal support (despite her request for it), and he must sort out his debts and property assets acquired before the marriage and following the separation. He requests this be separate from Chelsea.
According to Radar Online, Jeff agreed that the divorce is necessary – and he’s okay with splitting custody. He requested an order that Chelsea be restrained from relocating, destroying, or removing personal property from the house.
Though a judge denied his emergency request, he’s allowed to present the motion at a later date.