It used to be taboo—older women going after much younger men.
But now they have a name—cougars—and they aren't exactly shy about their dating habits.
"I'm not gonna hide from people thinking I'm a cougar. You know, go ahead, label me how you want. I know who I am," said Laura.
"This cougar defense is absolutely ridiculous and laughable," added Laura.
Laura was just 24 when she married Williard "Ross" Lanham, a hot shot consultant for the New York City Board of Education. They lived lavishly in a mansion—until federal agents arrived.
"The feds showed up at my door at 6 a.m. I was shocked beyond belief," said Laura.
Lanham ended up being convicted of embezzling $1.7 million from the Board of Education. He was sentenced to 20 years behind bars.
"He's the crook. I mean, he's the one who did all this," said Laura.
But now, Lanham is asking the judge to reduce his sentence from 20 years in jail to just 4 years. Why? He's claiming his ex-wife is a cougar.
"He knew I liked to be fun and sexy and flirty," said Laura.
As part of his so-called "Cougar Defense," William Lanham is showing his wife's steamy calendar off in court, hoping to paint her as an unfit mom.
"These are no more racy than a Victoria's Secret model," said Laura, "If I pose in a calendar, it doesn't mean I'm not a good mother."
Along with the "cougar" label, William Lanham is trying to prove his ex-wife is going through a mid-life crisis, "hitting clubs" with younger guys, "acting like a teenager," and is "emotionally unstable."
"My daughter is 17. The bulk of us raising her is pretty well done. She's a great kid," said Laura.
So what does she think about her ex's legal chances with the first ever "Cougar Defense?"
"Desperate. Hi, my name is Desperate," said Laura.
