Brenay Kennard should fork over a staggering $1.75 million after a Durham County jury decided the TikTok sensation wrecked her supervisor’s marriage by means of an extramarital relationship.
The social media persona, who instructions practically 3 million TikTok followers and 274,000 Instagram devotees, now confronts considered one of North Carolina’s most substantial alienation of affection verdicts in latest reminiscence.
The authorized battle centered on accusations that Kennard had engaged in an intimate relationship with Tim Montague, her skilled consultant, whereas he was nonetheless married to Akira Montague. The couple had exchanged vows on October 20, 2018, laying the groundwork for what would grow to be a expensive authorized confrontation.
Akira Montague’s civil grievance, filed in Could 2024 with Durham County Superior Courtroom, painted a devastating image of marital destruction. The plaintiff argued that the affair inflicted extreme emotional trauma, compromised her bodily well-being, and robbed her youngsters of an intact household construction.
The romantic entanglement allegedly unfolded each throughout the Montague household residence and throughout Kennard’s varied social media platforms.
The jury’s resolution cut up the large monetary penalty into two distinct classes: $1.5 million for alienation of affection and $250,000 for legal dialog.
These fees characterize North Carolina’s distinctive authorized framework that allows betrayed spouses to pursue financial damages in opposition to third events who intrude with their marriages. Kennard vehemently disputed the decision’s validity, claiming the wronged spouse had already accepted her marriage’s demise.
“She gave her consent,” Kennard instructed WRAL. “She mentioned it was okay as a result of she knew her marriage was over with, and it was completed.”
The influencer maintained that Akira Montague was absolutely conscious of the connection’s deteriorating state earlier than any romantic involvement commenced.
The case joins North Carolina’s prolonged roster of costly alienation of affection judgments. Historic precedents embody Carol Puryear’s record-breaking $30 million award in 2011 in opposition to Betty Devin, involving Donald Puryear, a trucking firm proprietor.
@willowedtears Brenay and Tim might care much less I see lol smh #brenay #brenayandtim #brenaykennard #akiramontague #drama ♬ unique sound – ImJustTheMessenger
Extra lately, former state Senator Rick Gunn settled the same lawsuit for $3 million in 2021 after being accused of sustaining a chronic affair together with his legislative assistant. Robonetta Jones, who represented Akira Montague all through the proceedings, expressed satisfaction with the end result.
“She has acquired justice from shedding her husband and the daddy of her youngsters,” Jones acknowledged, emphasizing the profound private losses her consumer endured.
North Carolina stays amongst solely six states sustaining these antiquated authorized provisions, which hint their origins to English frequent legislation traditions.
The statutes permit jilted spouses to hunt compensation from people they consider destroyed their marriages by means of romantic interference.
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