WASHINGTON (AP) — A plumber and a millionaire squared off in Mississippi over a woman. The woman chose the rich guy. The plumber sued the millionaire and won more than $750,000.
Now Jerry Fitch Sr., a businessman from Holly Springs, Miss., wants the Supreme Court to step in and limit what a spurned spouse can collect through a lawsuit that claims "alienation of affection."
Fitch said he shouldn't have to pay $112,000 in punitive damages, citing an earlier high court decision overturning state criminal laws against gay sex to bolster his case. He is not contesting the rest of the judgment.
The Mississippi Supreme Court called the matter a classic case of "he said/she said/the paramour said."
Mississippi is one of only seven states that still allows lawsuits by people who claim someone stole their wife or husband. The others are Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota and Utah.
The claim is rooted in the antiquated notion of a woman as her husband's property. Most states have abolished alienation of affection as a basis for lawsuits.
Sandra Fitch, the woman in this case, was married to the plumber, Johnny Valentine, when she was hired by Fitch's real estate company.
Within a year, she and Fitch began an affair. She became pregnant by Fitch, but she told Valentine his suspicions about adultery were unfounded.
Soon, though, Valentine had genetic tests done showing he was not the baby's father. He sued for divorce and then he sued Fitch, who is worth $22 million, according to the Mississippi Supreme Court.
The purpose of such a suit, the Mississippi high court said, is "the protection of the love, society, companionship, and comfort that form the foundation of a marriage."
Their marriage was happy until the third guy came in and 'stole' his wife.
We do have laws that protect the power of love =)
Well, you can actually, unless you are a millionaire. However love is always unforeseen isnt it? This and that happens. Sometimes people dont want to be third party (yes who would ever want to be in this complicated three person triangle relationship?) however there are lots of women and men out there so cheer up. Get out of the triangle and go for round instead. He/She may still be waiting for you, somewhere on this very planet!
2 comments:
I happen to be a woman, so I am going to write from a female perspective, but the masculine/feminine pronouns can easily be reversed.
This woman was married, had an affair with her millionaire, married boss, destroyed two familes. This woman had no respect for the contract of marriage she had with her husband, made a laughing stock out of him, hurt him, humiliated him.
She had no respect for the wife and family of the boss, for the contract of marriage the boss' wife had with the man. She hurt and humiliated this woman. She destroyed the home and family this woman spent her life building.
The millionaire boss, likewise, had no respect for the contract of marriage he had entered into with his wife. He had no respect for the marriage and feelings of the Plumber.
Two, low-life, immoral scumballs--they actually deserve each other.
If a third party enters your home and steals something, say an inconsequential knickknack that may hold sentimental value, the home owner can seek redress through the law.
The person can be arrested, charged with a crime. The owner may get his stolen item back, or the thief will be ordered to make restitution.
At the very least, she will get some chance at justice.
But, a person can destroy the home you have spent your life building by having the morals of an alleycat, wreck your faith in your chosen spouse, cause you all sorts of heartbreak, hurt your children (if you have them) by destroying their home, security, and family, and they should not have to pay?
This millionaire needs to shut up and pay the plumber. He (and this woman) caused him PAIN, distress, stress, cost him $$$ in hiring lawyers for the divorce.
Come on. I just saw this woman and her millionaire boss/husband on the Today show. Does anyone here really believe she LOVES this old man? He just sat there, like a lump. She just wanted a man with money--she is no better than a hooker. She had sex, got pregnant, to get rich--make money, and to steal a HUGE share of the inheritance from the children by his first marriage.
If more states brought back the Alienation of Affection laws, allowing wronged spouses to seek financial redress against third parties who wreck their families and home, cause them all sorts of emotional and psychological harm, then we would have fewer cases like the Dan & Betty Broderick case, or that woman in Texas who ran her husband over as he left a hotel with his receptionist.
Having your home ruined, having absolutely no chance of justice legally, facing the prospect of losing your home, your health insurance, your standard of living, feeling powerless, etc is HORRIBLE! The pain, the distress of the wronged spouse is very real.
Wronged spouses DESERVE some legal recourse, some satisfaction. The Fitches need to pay the Plumber and be glad his pain and injured sensibilities found satisfaction with a lawsuit instead of at the business end of a shotgun.
thanks for all the info good luck
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