Former CBS anchor Josh Elliott and ABC News journalist Liz Cho are battling over allegations of property removal and missing jewelry in their Connecticut divorce, with Cho filing a contempt motion on January 29, 2026 claiming Elliott arranged a moving truck to remove furniture and their two Portuguese Water Dogs while she vacationed with her daughter on January 19, 2026. The case highlights how Connecticut's automatic court orders protect marital assets during divorce proceedings.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Cho alleges Elliott removed furniture and dogs; Elliott claims he took "limited personal property" |
| When | Moving incident: January 19, 2026; Contempt motion filed: January 29, 2026 |
| Where | Connecticut Superior Court (Fairfield County) |
| Marriage duration | Nearly 9 years (married July 2015) |
| Next hearing | March 20, 2026 |
| Key statute | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-80 (prejudgment remedies) |
Connecticut Courts Take Property Removal Seriously
Connecticut family courts issue automatic orders that freeze the status quo of marital assets the moment a divorce is filed. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-80, either spouse can seek prejudgment remedies to prevent the other from hiding, transferring, or dissipating marital property during litigation.
According to court documents obtained by Page Six, Cho alleged that Elliott "removed a significant amount of furniture and furnishings from the marital residence" along with their two Portuguese Water Dogs, who she claims "were supposed to stay in the marital residence." She also reported discovering on January 6, 2026 that "a valuable watch and earrings" were missing from her jewelry bag.
Elliott flatly denied the jewelry accusation, calling it "baseless" and "made without evidence or corroboration." In his response, he claimed that Cho's allegations are "patently false and intended to annoy, harass and intimidate" him, stating he removed only "limited personal property and furnishings" to establish "a safe haven" from what he characterized as her "escalating and erratic behavior."
How Connecticut Law Handles Property During Divorce
Connecticut is an "all-property" equitable distribution state under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-81. This means the court can divide any property owned by either spouse, including assets acquired before the marriage, gifts, and inheritances. There is no automatic 50/50 presumption.
When one spouse alleges the other has removed or hidden assets, Connecticut courts have several enforcement tools:
- Contempt proceedings for violating automatic orders (what Cho has filed)
- Lis pendens filings to prevent real property transfers
- Court-ordered asset freezes on bank accounts and investments
- Adverse inferences drawn against the party who disposed of assets
The contempt motion Cho filed on January 29, 2026 asks the court to find Elliott violated standing orders by removing property without agreement or court permission. If the court finds contempt, potential consequences include monetary sanctions, attorney fee awards, or orders to return the property.
Connecticut courts consider dissipation of assets when making final property division determinations. A spouse found to have wasted, hidden, or improperly transferred marital property may receive a smaller share of remaining assets to compensate the other spouse.
The Discovery Battle Behind the Headlines
Beyond the property removal accusations, the couple is fighting over financial discovery. According to The Daily Beast, Cho requested documents in November 2025 including written correspondence between Elliott and romantic or sexual partners during the marriage, plus documentation proving Elliott actively sought employment.
Elliott deemed Cho's requests "unreasonable, unnecessary." This matters because Elliott has been unemployed since his 2017 firing from CBS, while Cho remains employed as the afternoon news anchor for ABC7 in New York. Connecticut courts consider each spouse's income, employability, and contributions when dividing property under § 46b-81.
Elliott, 54, filed for divorce on June 20, 2025, citing that the marriage had "broken down irretrievably." Cho, 55, filed her response on November 6, 2025. The couple married in Montecito, California in July 2015 after meeting while both worked at ABC.
Counter-Accusations Complicate the Picture
Elliott has lodged his own accusations against Cho. In court filings, he claimed she engaged in "monitoring and listening to [Elliott's] private phone calls" and "rifling through [Elliott's] personal belongings and closet." He also alleged she left "the marital residence for extended periods without communication despite the presence of two dogs requiring daily care."
These cross-accusations illustrate a common pattern in contested Connecticut divorces. When trust breaks down, both parties often claim the other violated boundaries or court orders. The March 20, 2026 hearing will give the court an opportunity to evaluate the evidence and determine whether either party violated standing orders.
Practical Takeaways for Connecticut Divorces
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Document everything before moving any property from the marital home, even items you believe are clearly yours
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Obtain written agreement from your spouse or court permission before removing furniture, vehicles, or other shared assets
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Photograph and inventory all personal property, especially jewelry and valuables, at the start of divorce proceedings
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Understand that pets are legally treated as personal property in Connecticut, not family members with custody rights
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Comply with automatic orders even if you disagree with them; violating court orders undermines your credibility and can result in sanctions
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Keep financial records showing your employment efforts if you are the lower-earning spouse seeking support
FAQs
Can I remove furniture from my home during a Connecticut divorce?
Connecticut automatic orders generally prohibit either spouse from removing, transferring, or disposing of marital property without written agreement or court permission after a divorce is filed. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-80, violating these orders can result in contempt findings and monetary sanctions. Courts expect both parties to maintain the status quo until property division is finalized.
What happens if my spouse takes property during our divorce?
File a contempt motion with the court documenting what was removed, when it was taken, and its estimated value. Connecticut courts can order the return of property, award monetary damages, assess attorney fees against the violating party, and consider the removal as evidence of bad faith when making final property division decisions under § 46b-81.
Are pets considered marital property in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut law treats pets as personal property, not family members entitled to custody arrangements. Courts divide pet ownership as part of property distribution, though some judges will consider which spouse primarily cared for the animal. There is no statutory framework for "pet custody" or visitation rights in Connecticut divorces.
How long does a Connecticut divorce take?
Connecticut requires a minimum 90-day waiting period from the return date before finalizing a divorce under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-67. Contested cases like Elliott v. Cho typically take 12-18 months or longer when property disputes, discovery battles, or contempt motions extend the timeline. Uncontested cases with no children and limited assets may qualify for expedited 35-day processing.
Can unemployment affect property division in Connecticut?
Absolutely. Connecticut courts consider each spouse's income, employability, vocational skills, and earning capacity when dividing property under § 46b-81. A spouse who has been voluntarily unemployed may face scrutiny about job search efforts. Courts can impute income to an underemployed spouse based on their education and work history when calculating support obligations.
The Elliott-Cho divorce hearing is scheduled for March 20, 2026 in Connecticut Superior Court. The outcome will depend on what evidence each party presents regarding the property removal allegations and whether the court finds either spouse violated standing orders.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.