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A popular social media influencer was recently ordered by a North Carolina court to pay the wife of a man she is accused of cheating with $1.75 million.

Brenay Kennard, a lifestyle content creator with nearly 3 million followers on TikTok, is at the center of a civil lawsuit that has made national headlines, in which she is accused of criminal conversation and alienation of affection.

The lawsuit was filed in May 2024 in Durham County, North Carolina, Superior Court by Kennard's manager's wife, Akira Montague, who alleged that the influencer and former friend had a romantic affair with her husband and boasted about it.

According to the court documents, Montague claims that before the "interference" of Kennard, her marriage "was one in which genuine love and affection existed." Kennard's actions have "destroyed (Montague's) happiness and home," the lawsuit continues.

The filing, which sought over $1 million in monetary damages, said that the situation has led Montague to seek therapy, citing "humiliation" as well as "mental and emotional anguish."

"She has received justice from losing her husband and the father of her children," Robonetta Jones, the attorney for Akira Montague, told WRAL.

Montague accused Kennard of making 'flirtatious' advances at her husband

The lawsuit alleged that Kennard tried to "seduce" her husband through what she outlined as "flirtatious" actions, including bending over in front of him, sporting short skirts and showing her tongue rings.

Montague, listed as the lone plaintiff in this case, also accused Kennard of engaging in sexual activities with her husband since 2023, at times in the marital home, as well as exchanging "numerous sexual videos and text messages."

Kennard's "acts of sexual intercourse with (Montague's) husband during Plaintiff's marriage resulted in the separation of Plaintiff and Plaintiff's Husband," the filing stated.

According to the complaint, Kennard posted social media videos that included Montague's husband without her consent, as well as her children. Montague said in the court document that she also faced death threats from the content creator's audience.

Montague stated that she attempted to rectify the marriage through counseling; however, she received pushback from her husband, according to the lawsuit. Her husband would later move to Kennard's home in Greenville, North Carolina, the lawsuit continues.

On Monday, Nov. 10, a jury ruled that Kennard has to pay Montague $1.75 million, according to the verdict reviewed by USA TODAY. In a statement to People, Kennard and Montague's husband described the verdict as "outrageous."

"The truth will always be the truth and it's easy to believe the lies, especially when playing the victim card," Kennard told the outlet. "(Akira) may have won the battle but not the war. God will have the final say."

USA TODAY reached out to Kennard for comment, but has not received a response.

Six states allow people to sue over a marriage-ending affair

North Carolina is among the few states that acknowledge alienation of affection, a law allowing an individual to pursue legal action against the person involved in infidelity with their spouse and responsible for the ending of their union, WRAL News reported.

According to the outlet, other states on that list are:

  • Mississippi
  • New Mexico
  • Hawaii
  • Utah
  • South Dakota

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: TikTok influencer accused of destroying marriage ordered to pay woman $1.75M

Reporting by Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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