Raleigh, North Carolina — Influencer Brenay Kennard Faces $1.75 Million Verdict Over Affair Scandal
In Raleigh, North Carolina, social media star Brenay Kennard is facing one of the most staggering personal liability verdicts ever handed to an influencer, following a jury decision that found her responsible for breaking up the marriage of Akira and Tim Montague. The verdict, totaling $1.75 million, was delivered under two rarely used North Carolina laws: alienation of affection and criminal conversation, statutes that punish those found to have interfered in a marriage or engaged in a romantic relationship with a married individual.
The case has stunned both the legal community and the world of social media influencers, serving as a cautionary tale about how personal choices can lead to public consequences. According to court documents, Kennard, who has built an online empire with nearly three million followers across multiple platforms, began an affair with Tim Montague while he was still married to Akira. Tim, who was managing Kennard’s influencer brand at the time, appeared frequently in her content, often blurring the lines between their professional and personal relationship.
The situation reportedly escalated when the affair became public, prompting Tim to leave his wife and start a relationship with Kennard. The revelation ignited a firestorm online, as fans, critics, and media outlets dissected every detail of the scandal. Akira Montague soon filed a lawsuit, alleging that Kennard’s actions not only destroyed her marriage but also inflicted deep emotional pain and public embarrassment that was magnified through social media. The case highlighted the real-world consequences of digital exposure, where personal relationships and public image are inseparable.
During the trial, Akira’s attorneys argued that Kennard deliberately inserted herself into a marriage that could have been repaired, turning what might have been a private heartbreak into a viral spectacle. They painted the relationship as a devastating betrayal, one that disrupted Akira’s family life and caused significant distress for her children. Evidence presented in court included social media posts, photos, and messages suggesting that Kennard and Tim’s relationship had crossed professional boundaries well before his separation from Akira.
Kennard’s defense maintained that the marriage between Akira and Tim was already fractured, claiming that Akira had given implicit consent for the relationship to continue due to ongoing marital problems. Despite these arguments, the jury sided with Akira, awarding $1.5 million for the destruction of the marriage and an additional $250,000 for the affair itself. The ruling underscores North Carolina’s unique legal landscape, where claims like alienation of affection—often regarded as outdated elsewhere—remain valid and enforceable.
What remains uncertain is how Kennard will respond to the verdict financially and professionally. Questions loom over whether she possesses the assets to cover the damages and what the judgment will mean for her brand partnerships and online following. Industry experts suggest that the verdict could have far-reaching effects, forcing influencers and public figures to reconsider how their personal lives intersect with their professional personas.
For now, the story of Brenay Kennard stands as a sobering reminder that fame offers no protection from the consequences of personal actions—and that in the age of social media, private choices can carry very public costs.
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