Transsexual spouse called domineering

A witness says Michael Kantaras, who is fighting for custody of his children, kept a tight rein on his wife.

By ALICIA CALDWELL, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 2, 2002

CLEARWATER -- Michael Kantaras was a jealous, controlling husband who required his wife to call him at work before she left the house and often made her take a chaperone with her.

That was the image that emerged in testimony Friday as Kantaras, a transsexual, continued his divorce and custody battle in Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court. In a trial that has focused on Kantaras' true gender and whether his 1989 marriage was valid, the testimony turned toward his fitness as a parent and a partner.

Witnesses testified that Michael Kantaras, 42, appeared to be the man of the house -- and a domineering one at that.

"Linda (Kantaras) always had to call Michael at work," said Manuela Griffin, of New Port Richey, who had been a family friend. "I know Michael is the Greek religion and the Greek religion has a lot to do with it. The man is the man and the woman is the woman."

Circuit Judge Gerard O'Brien Jr. interjected a question.

"She didn't have to wear a burqa, did she?" he asked, referring to the head-to-toe covering worn by some Muslim women.

Griffin, who said she spent much of a year hanging around the Kantaras' Holiday home, said she frequently would sit with Michael Kantaras, watching television after he got home from his early shift at the bakery.

His favorite show? The Jerry Springer Show. Griffin said she would express disgust at the outrageous topics on the talk show. On at least one occasion, Griffin said, this was Kantaras' reply:

"Manuela, there are a lot of sick people out there." Griffin said that at the time, she had no idea Michael Kantaras was a transsexual once named Margo, and when she found out, she felt betrayed and broke off her friendship with the couple.

"I feel I have the right to know what kind of person Michael is before my child stayed there overnight," she said. "I had a right to know."

Betrayal was an emotion that came through loud and clear when St. Petersburg police Detective Ron Noodwang took the witness stand. More than three years ago, his wife asked him for a divorce and, he said, delivered an ultimatum: "that she dates Michael Kantaras and myself at the same time so she can decide between us."

Noodwang said he declined, and ended up divorcing his wife, who continues to have a romantic relationship with Michael Kantaras.

The trial continues Monday.

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