In our society, we now have “influencers”. It seems many people with cell phones and/or microphones have heavily trafficked social media accounts or podcasts.
One such “influencer” here in North Carolina made a costly mistake. She messed around with another woman’s husband. The result was a lawsuit– and she lost. She now has to pay $1.75 million to the jilted spouse. The NC Family Policy Council has the details.
If the facts of the case are reported accurately, she deserved far worse. But I am glad NC state law provides a vehicle for some level of accountability.
Chuck Alberson was a Guilford County Magistrate who found his wife in flagrante delicto with a Greensboro Police Department detective
Being the cuckold, Mr. Albertson filed a law suit seeking damages for alienation of affection .
Guilford County Clerk of Superior case # 99 CVS 009701-400
Charles Stephen Albertson v. Samuel Reid Jones Jr.
Here is the initial reporting on the matter in the N&R.
https://greensboro.com/article_cad929a8-c594-5f32-8b7b-43ec6e4b4b64.html
The case was settled and placed under seal. Here is the N&R coverage of the settlement.
https://greensboro.com/article_8dd01bd8-ae4b-554e-b871-3018db2f739e.html
North Carolina formally codified restrictions on alienation of affection and criminal conversation with Session Law 2009-400 (House Bill 1110).
Key points of that law:
It added N.C.G.S. § 52-13, governing procedural limits on these torts.
Under subsection (a), no cause of action can be based on acts that occur after the spouses physically separate (with the intent that the separation be permanent).
Subsection (b) imposes a three-year statute of limitations: an action must be filed within three years of the last act giving rise to the claim.
North Carolina General Assembly
Subsection (c) restricts the defendant to a natural person (i.e., you can’t sue a corporation or entity under this tort).
The law took effect October 1, 2009, and it only applies to acts occurring on or after that date.
Yes, it is good to know that type of behavior is punishable. It was accepted common law prior to that bill’s passage.
Fred, I am glad we have that law. I think it needs to be used more widely. While it is understood that the law is detested in certain quarters, we need to be glad we have it, because many states apparently don’t.