(AP) - His estranged wife denies it, but former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey said they engaged in threesomes with a male aide.

In an e-mail to The Associated Press Monday, McGreevey confirmedpublished reports by former campaign aide Teddy Pedersen. Pedersensaid he had consensual sex with the couple for about two yearsbefore McGreevey became governor.

McGreevey said the encounters happened, but the couple needs tomove forward for the sake of their 6-year-old daughter.

"This happened, this happened in the past, and now we need tomove on with our lives," McGreevey said.

Dina Matos McGreevey said Pedersen's published claims are"completely false" and were prompted by the nation's first openlygay governor as a way to discredit her.

The McGreeveys are in the midst of an acrimonious divorce. Sheaccuses him of hiding his homosexuality before and during theirmarriage and has sued for damages. He has said she should haveknown he was gay.

Pedersen said he came forward because he was angry that MatosMcGreevey was offering television commentary - in which she saidshe was blindsided when her husband announced his homosexuality -on the resignation of New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who wasembroiled in a sex scandal with a call girl.

McGreevey resigned in disgrace in 2004 after acknowledging anaffair with a male staffer who he said was trying to blackmail him.The ex-staffer said he was sexually harassed by the Democraticgovernor.

The McGreeveys separated shortly after McGreevey's nationallytelevised speech, in which he declared himself "a gay American."

To watch an interview with a marital attorney about the scandal, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.

ReadMcGreeveys due in court as custody battlecontinues