Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Fletcher couple rumbles over spousal support

Custody and visitation rights loom in candidate’s court fight

Mindy and Nathan Fletcher during his run for San Diego mayor
Mindy and Nathan Fletcher during his run for San Diego mayor

The public persona of Nathan Fletcher, Republican-turned-Independent running for county supervisor as a Democrat, is embodied in the photo atop his Facebook page as a portrait of a happily blended family: he and second wife, Assembly Democrat Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, flanked by their smiling children, two each for him and for her.

Facebook page with Fletcher and Gonzalez children

Off-stage, though, the story is more complex. Superior court records show that Fletcher, his annual income slashed when he was let go as an executive by Qualcomm, sought in October of last year to reduce spousal and child support payments to ex-wife Mindy Tucker Fletcher, once a high-ranking aide to GOP President George W. Bush.

Jeffrey Elman. Ex-dean of social sciences Jeffrey Elman once considered funding with contributions from billionaire Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs.

"Respondent and I were married on September 19, 2003. We separated on December 11, 2014. Since the date of separation, I have been paying support to Respondent," says Nathan Fletcher's October 25, 2017 declaration in support of the switch.

Sponsored
Sponsored
Nathan, Mindy, and ex-governor Pete Wilson. Nathan: "If elected, the income I would earn from that position would be $172,451."

"On December 7, 2016, Respondent and I entered into a Marital Settlement Agreement that required that I pay each month to Respondent $5,250 in spousal support and $3,000 in child support for a total monthly support obligation of $8,250," per Fletcher. "I have been paying this amount since January of 2017."

"At the time that these support obligations were established, I was employed by Qualcomm, Incorporated and University of California, San Diego. I advised Respondent at that time that Qualcomm was planning to eliminate my position, thereby reducing my income substantially. She responded that she expected to obtain paid employment soon. On March 31, 2017, my position with Qualcomm, Inc. was eliminated,"

Per his statement, Fletcher's current service as a so-called professor of practice at UCSD, which ex-dean of social sciences Jeffrey Elman once considered funding with contributions from billionaire Qualcomm founder and Fletcher political backer Irwin Jacobs, is only modestly compensated.

"I concede that I have the capacity to earn more than my current monthly pay of $2,095.33 from the University of California, San Diego," the statement says.

In spite of his modest income, according to Fletcher, he has been the broken family's sole support. "Respondent has been a partner of Crux Partners, LLP, a San Diego consulting and public relations firm," Fletcher says of Mindy.

"Despite Respondent channeling all of her professional efforts into this business for years, Respondent has earned no income from this endeavor." But things may be changing, according to the filing.

Mindy "has been offered and plans to accept a position paying her $150,000 per year," says Fletcher's declaration. "Her income has increased and mine has decreased, creating a significant change in our financial circumstances."

At the time of their divorce in December 2016, the couple agreed to adjust their future support obligations, based on changes in their respective earnings, according to Fletcher's statement. "Our marital settlement agreement contains an 'Automatic Spousal Support Modification' provision that reduces my obligation to pay spousal support based on Respondent's income," he declares.

"This was done with the expectation that Respondent would become self-supporting. It appears that our financial circumstances have now made that a reality."

With Mindy making $12,500 per month, the declaration states, "this would call for a reduction in spousal support of $8,125, thereby reducing my spousal support obligation to zero. I propose that my child support obligation be that which is required by law given the calculation of our respective current monthly incomes."

Per his declaration, supervisorial candidate Fletcher anticipates a successful race getting him a handsome county salary next year which he would count as income for use in determining the couple's respective support obligations.

"I am currently seeking a seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. The election for that seat is in November of 2018. If elected, the income I would earn from that position would be $172,451, but that income would not be received until January of 2019."

"Nonetheless, I am willing to have my child support and spousal support obligations calculated now on that imputed income. If I am unsuccessful in obtaining this position, I am confident that I will find other employment at a comparable salary."

In addition to money, custody and visitation rights are also at issue in the case, court records show.

Per a document filed January 5 of this year by Tucker's attorney Sharon Blanchet, the couple has agreed to retain the services of Dr. Lori Love to conduct a child custody evaluation. Topics include "Mindy's request to relocate to Dallas, Texas with the minor children," and a "custody and visitation schedule that is in the children's best interest."

Blanchet declared in an April 28 filing that Irvine-based expert witness W. Russell Johnson may be called to testify for Mindy regarding "all child custody and visitation issues and relating issues and information as contained in the Custody Evaluation Report(s) prepared by Lori A. Love, Ph.D."

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Live Five: Sitting On Stacy, Matte Blvck, Think X, Hendrix Celebration, Coriander

Alt-ska, dark electro-pop, tributes, and coastal rock in Solana Beach, Little Italy, Pacific Beach
Next Article

Escondido planners nix office building switch to apartments

Not enough open space, not enough closets for Hickory Street plans
Mindy and Nathan Fletcher during his run for San Diego mayor
Mindy and Nathan Fletcher during his run for San Diego mayor

The public persona of Nathan Fletcher, Republican-turned-Independent running for county supervisor as a Democrat, is embodied in the photo atop his Facebook page as a portrait of a happily blended family: he and second wife, Assembly Democrat Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, flanked by their smiling children, two each for him and for her.

Facebook page with Fletcher and Gonzalez children

Off-stage, though, the story is more complex. Superior court records show that Fletcher, his annual income slashed when he was let go as an executive by Qualcomm, sought in October of last year to reduce spousal and child support payments to ex-wife Mindy Tucker Fletcher, once a high-ranking aide to GOP President George W. Bush.

Jeffrey Elman. Ex-dean of social sciences Jeffrey Elman once considered funding with contributions from billionaire Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs.

"Respondent and I were married on September 19, 2003. We separated on December 11, 2014. Since the date of separation, I have been paying support to Respondent," says Nathan Fletcher's October 25, 2017 declaration in support of the switch.

Sponsored
Sponsored
Nathan, Mindy, and ex-governor Pete Wilson. Nathan: "If elected, the income I would earn from that position would be $172,451."

"On December 7, 2016, Respondent and I entered into a Marital Settlement Agreement that required that I pay each month to Respondent $5,250 in spousal support and $3,000 in child support for a total monthly support obligation of $8,250," per Fletcher. "I have been paying this amount since January of 2017."

"At the time that these support obligations were established, I was employed by Qualcomm, Incorporated and University of California, San Diego. I advised Respondent at that time that Qualcomm was planning to eliminate my position, thereby reducing my income substantially. She responded that she expected to obtain paid employment soon. On March 31, 2017, my position with Qualcomm, Inc. was eliminated,"

Per his statement, Fletcher's current service as a so-called professor of practice at UCSD, which ex-dean of social sciences Jeffrey Elman once considered funding with contributions from billionaire Qualcomm founder and Fletcher political backer Irwin Jacobs, is only modestly compensated.

"I concede that I have the capacity to earn more than my current monthly pay of $2,095.33 from the University of California, San Diego," the statement says.

In spite of his modest income, according to Fletcher, he has been the broken family's sole support. "Respondent has been a partner of Crux Partners, LLP, a San Diego consulting and public relations firm," Fletcher says of Mindy.

"Despite Respondent channeling all of her professional efforts into this business for years, Respondent has earned no income from this endeavor." But things may be changing, according to the filing.

Mindy "has been offered and plans to accept a position paying her $150,000 per year," says Fletcher's declaration. "Her income has increased and mine has decreased, creating a significant change in our financial circumstances."

At the time of their divorce in December 2016, the couple agreed to adjust their future support obligations, based on changes in their respective earnings, according to Fletcher's statement. "Our marital settlement agreement contains an 'Automatic Spousal Support Modification' provision that reduces my obligation to pay spousal support based on Respondent's income," he declares.

"This was done with the expectation that Respondent would become self-supporting. It appears that our financial circumstances have now made that a reality."

With Mindy making $12,500 per month, the declaration states, "this would call for a reduction in spousal support of $8,125, thereby reducing my spousal support obligation to zero. I propose that my child support obligation be that which is required by law given the calculation of our respective current monthly incomes."

Per his declaration, supervisorial candidate Fletcher anticipates a successful race getting him a handsome county salary next year which he would count as income for use in determining the couple's respective support obligations.

"I am currently seeking a seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. The election for that seat is in November of 2018. If elected, the income I would earn from that position would be $172,451, but that income would not be received until January of 2019."

"Nonetheless, I am willing to have my child support and spousal support obligations calculated now on that imputed income. If I am unsuccessful in obtaining this position, I am confident that I will find other employment at a comparable salary."

In addition to money, custody and visitation rights are also at issue in the case, court records show.

Per a document filed January 5 of this year by Tucker's attorney Sharon Blanchet, the couple has agreed to retain the services of Dr. Lori Love to conduct a child custody evaluation. Topics include "Mindy's request to relocate to Dallas, Texas with the minor children," and a "custody and visitation schedule that is in the children's best interest."

Blanchet declared in an April 28 filing that Irvine-based expert witness W. Russell Johnson may be called to testify for Mindy regarding "all child custody and visitation issues and relating issues and information as contained in the Custody Evaluation Report(s) prepared by Lori A. Love, Ph.D."

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Now what can they do with Encinitas unstable cliffs?

Make the cliffs fall, put up more warnings, fine beachgoers?
Next Article

San Diego Dim Sum Tour, Warwick’s Holiday Open House

Events November 24-November 27, 2024
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader