WHAT A HEEL: NC Jury Pegs The Value Of “Alienation Of Affections” At $9M
A NC jury ordered NYer Anne Lundquist to pay $9 million for alienation of affections, criminal conversation (adultery) and intentionally or recklessly causing severe emotional distress to Cynthia Shackelford for busting up her marriage, reports the News & Record (Greensboro, NC):
In the lawsuit, Cynthia Shackelford said her husband began an affair with Lundquist before the Shackelfords separated in April 2005. She said she and her husband were still in love when Lundquist broke up the marriage.
Cynthia Shackelford said in a telephone interview Wednesday that her husband, a Greensboro attorney at the time, met Lundquist while providing legal services for Guilford College. Lundquist was the dean of campus life at the private school. …
“I really loved him, and I really thought he loved me,” Cynthia Shackelford said. “I had not a clue that Allan would wander. He kept telling me 'Oh, she’s just a friend. There’s no affair. I love you.’”
North Carolina remains one of a few states that allow someone to sue the person alleged to have interfered in a marriage - called alienation of affections.
Cynthia Shackelford told the paper that she and her attorney, Will Jordan, “wanted a number high enough that it would keep other people from ... going after other married spouses.” Jordan doesn’t think his client will collect the full judgment, but is pleased with the “validation or vindication that goes with having a jury acknowledge that you were done wrong.”
Lundquist plans to appeal.
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