Here in NC we tend to like our laws traditional, especially our Republican state legislatures. So my outgoing (did not run for re-election for 2020) State Senator, causing in me some Schadenfreude, is being sued for alienation of affection.
The five-term senator, a Burlington Republican, is not seeking re-election. He announced that decision in November 2019, four months after the Johnses divorced. Charlotte Observer Link
This is an old law that most states no longer have, but we have it here in NC and there are usually a few cases every year. Basically you get to sue the person who broke up your marriage. Usually it isn’t worth the expense so most divorces where a spouse cheated don’t end up with one of these lawsuits. But it has been filed in the case of Rick Gunn’s legislative assistants divorce by her soon to be ex-husband.
A North Carolina state senator is at the center of a lawsuit filed by a man who claims the lawmaker broke up his marriage.
The couple was married for 26 years before separating in July of 2019. The man behind the lawsuit, Arthur Johns is suing Burlington Republican Sen. Rick Gunn. The lawsuit was filed in Wake County Superior Court. Johns is suing for claims of alienation of affection and of criminal conversation. According to the North Carolina legislature's website, Johns’ former wife, Karen, is listed as Senator Gunn's legislative assistant. WFMY link
Criminal conversation is a euphemism for not only did you break up the marriage but you had sexy time with the person when you were breaking up their marriage.
The Rhino Times, a conservative local online newspaper, has a few more details.
Arthur Johns alleges in the lawsuit that Gunn invited Karen Johns to social events where Arthur Johns was not invited and that Gunn frequently contacted Karen Johns on nights and weekends.
The lawsuit states, “During non-work hours that would otherwise would have been family time for Plaintiff and Wife to enjoy, Defendant encouraged Wife to spend large amounts of time in his company, to communicate with him immediately and almost constantly via text and phone, and to travel with him with no one else present.”
The couple had been married since 1994 and have two children together.
The lawsuit also states, “At one point Defendant and Wife attempted to use Defendant’s office to destroy Plaintiff’s reputation and to embarrass and humiliate him publicly.
The lawsuit states that it is for more than $1 million and no less than $30,000 in compensatory damages for each of two counts and more than $1 million and no less than $30,000 in punitive damages, plus attorney’s fees.,
