KATE GOSSELIN: HOW SHE FOOLED THE WORLD - THE RISE AND FALL OF A REALITY TV QUEEN

by Robert Hoffman

  At the height of the Jon and Kate media frenzy in the summer of 2009, there were, at most, 10 or 12 paps taking pictures on any given day. Holidays and the kids’ birthdays or a special occasion would draw more, even television crews, but just for a single day. I can tell you, again from personal experience, that the paps that came to Pennsylvania to cover the Gosselins are of a different breed than those you see on the streets of Hollywood swarming celebrities. These guys were professional, courteous and for the most part, polite. I found it offensive when one or two first-timers would surround Kate and the kids at the bus stop and get too close, and very offensive when they would ask her rude questions on video in front of the kids. Those paps didn’t have kids, so they didn’t get why it was such a bad thing. But there certainly was never a threat from any of the paps.

  After reading Kate’s journal, it is also apparent that Steve is an enabler, and his silence while Kate abuses her little children is unconscionable. In my opinion, he is complicit with Kate and has demonstrated his lack of class and lack of integrity by not coming forward to help those children.

  So why would Steve Neild remain silent about Kate’s treatment of the kids, and even lie for her on television? Here’s a thought: for the money. And not just the $800 a day plus expenses money.

  THE TRUST FUND

  In the summer of 2009, Kate started removing large amounts of money from the Gosselin’s joint bank accounts to protect or hide it during the upcoming divorce battle with Jon. She didn’t open a bank account under her name to keep the money safe until things were worked out in the courts. Instead, she did the next most logical thing she could think of, and what most people in her shoes would probably do. She took the family’s money and put it into a trust fund, so if something happened to herself or Jon, the children would be taken care of financially. That makes sense.

  That is where logic ends and things get interesting when considering who Kate chose to be the family trustee. The trustee is the person who would make financial decisions for her children about the millions of dollars she had from all their hard work. The person Kate chose for that important duty was Steve Neild. The bodyguard. The family friend who silently stands by Kate hiding her lies and her secrets. The friend who turns a blind eye while she abuses her children.

  The trust fund is real. Kate was asked to produce documentation about it during the divorce proceedings. Kate’s best friends Beth and Bob Carson were the co-Trustees of the original Gosselin family trust fund, but after they were banished from the Gosselin’s lives, the next best choice was, of course, the hired family bodyguard.

  Jon’s divorce attorney, Charlie Meyer, sent emails about the trust fund to Kate’s attorney, Cheryl Young. At the very least, the emails confirm that there is a new trust fund that Jon didn’t have access to, and it was a concern to him. After all, it was Jon’s money, as well, from those years of filming.

  Charlie said that when Kate returns, they were going to need access quickly to the following documents because Jon did not have any of them:

  1. Trust Documents and financial records for the trusts

  2. Formation documents and records for JKIG

  3. Business and personal bank and other account statements

  4. All contracts other than the TLC documents they already had.

  5. Tax Returns

  Charlie sent another email to Cheryl Young confirming their brief call. He reminded Cheryl that she had told him earlier that day that Kate had moved money because she was upset about Jon’s spending, including his purchase of a $40,000 car (which really was $32,000). Charlie said it was Jon’s understanding that Kate was going out that day to purchase a car, and Charlie could not understand how Kate could rationalize that action.

  TRAVELS WITH STEVE

  Only time will tell what was really going on between Kate and Steve, and how his presence affected Kate and Jon’s marriage. It could have been a cleverly orchestrated ruse by Discovery to keep some interest and mystery alive while the show’s ratings continued to plummet. After all, starting with the first episode of Kate Plus Ei8ht, there was Steve, front and center on the interview couch yapping away. Then in the “Alaska Episode” of Kate Plus Ei8ht, when they were panning for gold with the kids, Steve gave Aaden a gold ring to bring to Kate to tell her that he found it in the stream. It seemed like a shabbily contrived effort to get people talking and wondering about what it meant.

  Another thing I found strange about their relationship is the photographic evidence I came across during my research. I have seen hundreds and hundreds of pictures that Kate took with her iPhone and her own camera. During their family beach vacation to the Outer Banks in the summer of 2008, which was documented in the TLC episode, “Gosselins Head South,” there is no evidence that Steve Neild was even on that trip. The fact that he was there was well hidden from the viewing audience. But Kate’s photos tell a different story. She took many photos of Steve Neild alone, or Steve and the kids. But you know what? I did not find one single photo taken by Kate of Jon. Her husband. This was at a time when they were supposedly happily married.

  Also, when Jon took Cara to Utah for a skiing vacation in January 2009, guess who else was there? That’s right. Steve Neild. Kate sent Steve along to keep an eye on Cara because she didn’t trust Jon. It seems an odd thing to do when Jon and Kate were supposedly still happily married at that time.

  I read many, many emails back and forth from Pennsylvania to Utah, and there wasn’t one from Kate to Jon. Kate was emailing Cara at Jon’s email address, but she never wrote so much as one word to Jon. She did, however, communicate constantly with Steve, asking questions about what he was doing and how Cara was.

  On Jan 5, 2009, at 12:03 AM, Steve wrote to Kate that he had dinner with Jon and Cara and the ski guy and his wife. He said that “Cars” was having a good time and was proud to show him all the ski trails she had done. He then told Kate that he had a meeting with Jeff and he would tell her all about it the next day. He signed the email “S”.

  Kate replied that she couldn’t wait to hear about the meeting and that it was killing her that she couldn’t see Cara succeeding and enjoying the challenge. She told Steve she would talk to him later and let him know that she would have her phone with her all day to await updates.

  Here are some other circumstances involving Steve. I have separated the different occurrences by spaces.

  Producer Jen Stocks sent an email on the morning of May 20, 2008, asking Kate about going out to dinner after visiting “The NICU” and, if interested, whether Kate had any ideas where they could go. She told Kate they would like to film it. Early that evening, at 5:57 PM, Kate replied that it was possible, and suggested that they go to Applebees in Hershey, PA, because that restaurant had been very good to them. Kate told Jen to look into it and she would check with Jon. But Kate then added that they would only go “if we have Steve.” About 20 minutes later, at 6:18 PM, Jen replied to Kate with the bad news that they didn’t have Steve for Friday, just Sunday and Monday, so they would skip shooting dinner.

  Kate made a snippy comment about it being an example of “let’s do what’s easiest!” all because her bodyguard and rumored love interest could not join them. There were several other bodyguards available, but Kate needed Steve there.

  On May 12, 2008, Steve sent an email to Jon and Kate to let them know that he would not be sending them a security invoice for being with them the day before. He said that they all had a great time and that his security services should be considered a birthday present for the kids and a Mother’s Day present for Kate. Steve thanked them very much for getting lunch and said he appreciated it. The signature line on the email said Steven K. Neild, Executive Vice President Prudential Associates.

  Kate was so overwhelmed with gratitude that Steve had so generously waived his exorbitant fee for an evening that she fell all over herself gushing her thanks. “Oh Steve …. Are you sure? Thank you so much.” She told him that they had also enjoyed lunch, and that it was the
least they could do.

  Kate sent a note to Julie May to let her know that the dates for the San Diego trip were March 12-17, not March 13-17. She sounded pretty excited when she told Julie that the “Parkesburg event” had been changed to “Kate and Steve”. She told Julie that the contract for the Ontario event was signed, sealed and delivered, and expressed great excitement about going on her first out-of-country event. She did not express a hint of sadness about being away from her family.

  Before they left for their trip to Charleston, South Carolina, Kate emailed Steve a list of TEN restaurant options for Asian cuisine and included their phone numbers and web addresses. This sounds like perfectly normal behavior between a bodyguard and his client.

  Kate emailed Angela from Zondervan to make sure that Steve would be comfortable on their upcoming trip to Charleston on January 12 to January 17. She asked Angela if the hotel had a conference room where they could write, and she wanted Steve to be able to check in and out, or hang out there if he wanted without feeling uncomfortable.

  Kate sent Julie May an email about making a plastic surgery consultation for her “dent leg” sometime in the middle of February. She said she would be in Nyack, New York, an “affluent area” about 45 minutes outside of the city and asked Julie if they should “throw it out to Karen/Angela” about planning a book signing while she was up there. Kate said she would cover the expense of Steve traveling with her the day of her appointment if “they” would cover the hotel and car service home. She asked Julie whether it was worth asking. Kate also told Julie that it would make her feel better about traveling 4 hours by car for a 1-hour doctor’s appointment.

  NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

  These are partial excerpts taken from my US Weekly reporting:

  Jon & Kate Gosselin PA Reporting

  Kate & Steve General Reporting

  Kate and Steve spent six days together in Charleston, SC to write book Three.

  Kate and Steve spent six days together in San Diego, CA. Only two of those days was Steve paid for by TLC. Kate paid for the rest.

  Thanksgiving 2008 was the first holiday that Steve spent with the Gosselins.

  Jon never confronted Steve about his suspicions but Steve accused Jon of spreading lies to Gosselin bloggers, Kevin and Jodi Kreider.

  This was handwritten by Kate and circled with a big heart on her calendar:

  Leave for S.D. here

  Kate, Mady & Steve

  An arrow went from March 13-18 of 2009. This text was below that, also in Kate’s writing:

  TLC-SD

  2 days of Steve

  Part of flights

  Part of stay

  So it was a six-day trip, and TLC only saw fit to cover Steve for two of those days. The rest was vacation time together for Kate and Steve.

  Here is more from my US Weekly reporting on Kate and Steve. The nature of their relationship was a hot topic back then.

  WHAT DO THE KIDS THINK OF STEVE?

  The kids love Steve. I think they love him as much or more than they love Kate. Several times when Steve was at the house getting ready to leave on a trip with Kate, when they’re saying goodbye in the driveway, I’ve heard them yelling “bye Steve, by Steve” but no “bye mommy.”

  When Steve is at the house visiting, the little kids are all over him, wanting him to play with them constantly. He really seems to love them too. He always has time to play with them but Kate usually cuts it short and demands his attention for her own selfish needs, usually asking him to carry something for her or move something for her.

  HOW ARE THE KIDS DOING?

  Mady and Cara still throw the occasional tantrum or hissy fit, but not nearly as often or as bad as in the past. I think now that Jon has some stability in his life as far as a place to live, they’ve adjusted to the divorce. They seemed very confused at first by Jon and Kate fighting and living apart but they’ve adapted and are doing fine. It’s obvious that they like spending time with Jon more than Kate because Kate is like a drill sergeant and Jon gives them more space and allows them to act their age. He still disciplines them but they know what they did wrong to get yelled at. A lot of times Kate yells at the kids for no reason and they don’t understand why she’s so angry at them.

  GINA NEILD

  I’ve never spoken to Gina in person or been close enough to her to get a true read on her feelings but I’ve watched her several times from the fenceline at the property and she strikes me as someone playing the role of the ‘good wife,’ or the ‘obedient wife.’ Like most things Gosselin, she started making ‘photo op’ appearances at the house when the media started focusing on a possible affair between Steve and Kate. She was also photographed having lunch with Kate in Rockville, MD where the Neild’s live, right about the time when the affair rumors were going strong. Gina usually stands quietly in the driveway while Kate and Steve are getting ready to leave for a trip and I’ve never seen any emotion between she and Steve. I’ve seen Steve hand Kate’s bags to Gina to help load into the limo but never any hugs or kisses goodbye. It must really bother her to see the Gosselin kids giving Steve big hugs and kisses and waving goodbye to him and watching him drive off in a stretch limo with Kate while she’s left at home to babysit.

  DETAILS ON THE JANUARY 2009 CHARLESTON, SC TRIP.

  This is what is written on the calendar by Kate:

  Charleston, SC to write book #3 (smiley face and four !!!!)

  They left at 4:30 am on January 12th for an 8:30 am flight out of Philadelphia and got home sometime after 5 pm. on January 17th.

  DETAILS ON THE HOLIDAYS IN 2008

  Thanksgiving 2008 was the first time the Neild’s came to the Gosselin house for a holiday. Jon thought it was very awkward because by this time, Kate had already decided that their marriage was over and Jon suspected it was because of her having an affair with Steve. Jon said he never confronted Steve about it, but after Kevin and Jodi wrote on their blog that Kate and Steve were having an affair, Steve came and confronted Jon, accusing Jon of telling Kevin and Jodi lies. (Jon wouldn’t give any details.)

  It was Kate’s way of shoving it down Jon’s throat that she could do anything she wanted and he was weak. Kate knew that Jon didn’t want Steve at the house and especially not at the holidays but Kate went out of her way to plan extended stays with the Neild’s and it drove Jon crazy. Jon was in the house but he stayed as far away from Steve and Kate as he could.

  After Thanksgiving it became a regular routine. The Neild’s would be invited over for Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, and every major holiday and Jon hated it and hated the fact that Steve was getting so close to his children. He felt like he was being replaced in his own home.

  Kate and Steve took just Mady on a trip to San Diego in March 2009. They left Mady with a babysitter every night while they went out alone. It was just a vacation trip and not a book signing. Mady was very confused, trying to understand why Steve was with Kate and not Jon.

  This part was printed by Star Magazine at the time:

  “They were riding a four-wheeled cycle. Mady was on one side of her mother, while Kate was nuzzled in close to Steve on the other side – and he had his arm around her! If you didn’t know any better, you’d think Kate and Steve were a married couple on a romantic holiday. The way she leaned into him was highly inappropriate for a married woman!”

  Kate was later seen “sitting extremely close to Steve on the beach. She had stripped down to her bikini, and Steve had taken his shirt off. They seemed to be ignoring Mady, 8 – but not each other! Kate was laughing and playfully patted his leg. She even put her head on his shoulder at one point.”

  “On Friday night, we saw Steve leading Kate and Mady into the suite next to ours! It looked to me as if all three of them were spending the weekend together in the same room! I actually felt bad for Mady.”

  Jon & Kate Gosselin PA Reporting

  Kate went to a reading of Multiple Blessings and Steve went along. That’s when Jon first “suspected something was g
oing on and got pissed that they had a nice little vacation date together.”

  Jon couldn’t understand why Steve accompanied Kate alone on a reading of her book, Multiple Blessings. Steve was assigned to the family by TLC to keep the kids safe but Kate decided she needed Steve by her side. Kate wouldn’t even explain it to Jon, telling him “you wouldn’t understand.”

  Jon felt the end of their relationship came when he stopped doing church speaking dates with Kate. In October 2008 Kate said to Jon, “you can live your life. I’m going to live mine.”

  Kate was totally focused on getting as much money out of people as she possibly could, any way she could. One of her main ways early on was to speak at churches and collect “Love Offerings.” Jon never liked doing this and felt bad about it and finally told Kate that he wasn’t going to do it anymore. He thought it was hypocritical. It was then that Kate announced the end of their relationship to Jon.

  Kate refused to go to counseling or get couples therapy with Jon. She just decided it was over.

  When Kate broke that news to Jon, he was totally caught off guard. He said he never saw it coming and wanted to discuss it and work things out with Kate but she wanted nothing to do with it. She already had her mind made up and had moved on. Jon suggested couple’s therapy and marriage counseling for the sake of the kids, but she said no. In Jon’s mind, the only explanation for this is that she already had another man in her life and the only person it could have been was Steve Neild. “Kate is smart enough to keep things hidden from the public and will reveal their relationship when it works best for her career.