Wife Awarded $9M From "The Other Woman"

In an election to fill former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords', left, D-Ariz., congressional seat, Democratic candidate Ron Barber, right, celebrates a victory with Giffords and supporters at a post election event, June 12, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. / pool,AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

A jury has awarded a North Carolina woman $9 million from her husband's lover after ruling the other woman ruined their marriage.

The News & Record of Greensboro reports the jury ruled this week in 60-year-old Cynthia Shackelford's alienation of affection case. North Carolina is one of a handful of states that allows jilted spouses to sue over affairs.

Shackelford says her husband was a Greensboro attorney when he started an affair with Anne Lundquist before separating from his wife in April 2005.

Lundquist didn't respond to a message left by the newspaper.

Shackelford's lawyer says she might not get the full $9 million, but Shackelford wanted to send a message that the sanctity of marriage should be respected.

[DJay555]

I've been following the comments and it's nice to hear kind words from people i will never meet, It's nice to see people with values. To the person who commemted on Xmas not being the same, it will be hard but I guess the reason for the season is not about me but Jesus so i still will have a nice Christmas :) and the children are actually doing well I,m actually blessed, they talk to me about everything everyday. In the marriage I cooked everyday, did all the laundry, worked 8hr days. jogged the kids here and there not because i had to but because it was part of my responsibility as a husband and i enjoyed it :) just floored me when she just walked out, I guess that explains the GUILT she feels, I know i could never do that to a family (or families) anyways GOD BLESS :) If you get a chance watch the movie "FIREPROOF"

[gsc0212]

DJay555. I think we're living parallel lives. Same thing happened to me but it was my husband that left at Christmas. Christams will not be the same as it was because it will be better. It will be filled with love and void of lies and doubts. I've been told that my ex did me a favor by leaving and that God is saving me from him and that a better future is in store. Maybe....I loved the movie FIREPROOF.

[ShamWow]

I agree. In fact I was trying to send this to Sandra Bullock. Go after the ho!! Some send this to Elin Woods also!!

[ohboyuhoh]

I just don't get it, men cheat because they have problems in their marriage in the first place, why not just get out of the marriage if you are not happy and then move on. Eventually you will get caught and alot of people get hurt. Just grow up instead of sneaking around. I don't agree the ex wife should get money from the new gf, everyone was humiliated because the hubby decided to sneak around. You want to play then you better be prepared to pay the price I guess, at least in NC anyway.

[MIA2653]

I believe they both should pay for their actions and the many lives that were affected by the foolish childish actions on there part. The fact is that in most cases the relationship that destroys many lives forever does not last very long anyways. The ones who caused the heartaches will again cause the same heartache with each other. So they will eventually pay with their own heart.

[DJay555]

sure wish more states had this law. Wife left the children and I on XMAS for another man (and he left his wife and kids at the same time) and WI let her walk away debt free, not even making her pay Child Support. why are people not held accountable for there actions anymore?? sad very sad :(

[melodylady]

Wow! It's really sad that you and your children had to deal with that, especially at Christmas time. Christmas will probably be forever tainted for your children, as well as, the other children who were involved. How heartless can one be! Absolutely terrible!

[ShamWow]

DJay - so sorry for that... similar thing happened to my fiance. her loss my total gain. hang in there.

[debinok1]

Good for her, more states need to reinstate alienation of affection. We would see more people thinking harder before they decide to have an affair with someone who is married.

[ShamWow]

I agree. I'm so tired of reading about cheaters... why get married in the first place? It's about time there are some legal consequences for bad behavior. Religion is not getting through to these people... maybe a good old slap in the pocket book will make people finally think twice about infidelity. Marriage has become a joke. It was meant to be a covenant-union. Marriage is not for wooses - stay single if you think divorce is an option. Don't waste the courts time.

[differnet]

Under North Carolina law, the husband was already punished. North Carolina still uses assignment of blame to divide marital assets and to assign alimony. Undoubtedly, the husband had to pay for his pleasures. The only downside to this type of law, is that it increases the risk that an unfaithful spouse might prefer to murder his or her spouse rather than loose out on assets and pay.

[melodylady]

Good grief! I never thought of that, while reading the posts. You are absolutely right about that being a possibility. Just sad!

[MIA2653]

Well then, I guess nothing really changes then because he still will lose his assets no matter what....

[scoobygurl]

BTW, I think Elizabeth Edwards should take sleazy Rielle Hunter to court for the same thing, since that witch cant seem to shut up and go away. Since the Edwards live in North Carolina, I am sure that Mrs. Edwards could sue for the same thing and I would bet anything that she would win hands down.

[MIA2653]

If I were her, I would find justice for my children I would be leaving behind because her husband was a whimp and could not stick by his wifes side during her illness and support her. Instead it became all about poor him instead of consoling his wife..He is a looser and should pay for what he did to this woman who stuck by his side through everything. She was there for him, but he ran when it came to her needs. Looser,Looser,Looser, can't say it enough!

[dog1der]

I guess John and Cindy McCain should be lucky they do not live in NC?

[scoobygurl]

First of all, good for her! With all the sleazy homewreckers out there today, I applaud this lady for taking a stand. If you willingly have an affair with a married man, whom you know is married and has a family, then you deserve what you get. Secondly, for everyone pointing the finger at the husband, I am sure he is paying out the arse in alimony and child support. So that is a given that he is paying for his adultery. I think it only fair that the mistress has to pay too! She contributed to the downfall of this marriage. Have you all forgotten that those two people took vows, and the mistress just swooped in and began an affair that any intelligent person would know would cause the breakup of their marriage. So many people take lightly the marriage vows now. Its nice to see that a jury decided to punish the mistress too.

[carmencalle]

Agree with NowBeWithThat. If the husband was giving the other woman $$ or gifts, he was dissipating marital assets without the wife's knowledge or consent. She is entitled to go after her lousy ex and his mistress. Good for her!!!

[carmencalle]

Agree with NowBeWithThat. If the husband was giving the other woman $$ or gifts, he was dissipating marital assets without the wife's knowledge or consent. The wife is entitled to go after both her lousy ex and his mistress. Good for her!!!