Judge OKs release of Romney divorce case testimony

CANTON, Mass. (AP) — 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.

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