Popular TikTok influencer, Brenay Kennard, has been ordered to pay $1.75 million in damages to her husband’s ex-wife.
A jury sided with Akira Montague, who had sought $3.5 million in damages for an affair with her then-husband, Timothy Montague.
In the civil lawsuit, filed in May 2024 with the Durham County Superior Court, Akira accused Kennard of “alienation of affection,” intentionally spurring the end of her marriage, and “criminal conversation,” having sex with a person’s spouse, legal claims that are only recognized in a handful of states, North Carolina included.
Kennard, who maintains a following of over 3 million across TikTok and Instagram, shares day-in-the-life videos and other vlog-style content, regularly featuring Timothy in her posts.
The legal complaint claimed that Kennard began to make social media content with Timothy while he was still married to Akira, alleging that many of the posts were made “without [Akira’s] knowledge or consent.” Akira also accused Kennard of publicly sharing photos of her children, whom she shares with Timothy.
The complaint also detailed claims that Kennard “flaunted” her relationship with Timothy online and attempted to “justify” an alleged affair with him during a TikTok livestream.
According to The News & Observer, after deliberating for roughly an hour and 50 minutes, a jury ruled in favor of Akira on Monday.
A Superior Court judge then ordered Kennard to pay $1.5 million for “alienation of affection” and $250,000 for “criminal conversation.”
During the trial, held at the Durham County Courthouse, Timothy claimed in his testimony that he was never in love with Akira, stating that they were “just like roommates” and that they had separated in 2021, per The News & Observer. Akira reportedly disputed this claim, asserting that Timothy came home every weekend and the pair had sex.
Kennard, who was representing herself in the case, argued during her closing statements on Monday that she couldn’t “be the reason” Timothy and Akira’s marriage came to an end, claiming their marriage “had been falling apart for years,” The News & Observer reported.
In a statement after the ruling, Kennard slammed the verdict as “outrageous,” claimed that the lawsuit was “all about money,” and alleged that Akira’s legal team “lied the entire time.”
“The truth will always be the truth, and it’s easy to believe the lies, especially when playing the victim card,” wrote Kennard. “[Akira] may have won the battle but not the war. God will have the final say.”
Timothy wrote in a statement after the ruling that the verdict was “absolutely outrageous,” claiming Akira’s legal team won by “pulling the sympathy card.”
“It’s easy to make someone out to be the villain when you don’t want to face the truth or take accountability,” he wrote. “The marriage was NOT full of genuine love. All parties involved know that. God will get the glory.”
In a statement to PEOPLE, Akira’s lawyer Akira Montague, wrote, “This case was not about vengeance. It was about accountability.”
“The evidence presented in this case overwhelmingly supported my client’s stance that Brenay Kennard not only alienated the affections of Akira’s husband but also inflicted emotional injury on his children as well,” the statement continued. “Akira, her family and I would like to thank all those who have supported her on this journey.”
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