$30 million awarded in alienation of affection

This story was published March 6, 2011

The former wife of a Raleigh trucking company owner was awarded $30 million this week in an alienation-of-affection lawsuit in Wake County.

The award is believed to be one of the biggest in North Carolina, one of a handful of states that allows jilted spouses to sue over affairs.

Superior Court Judge Carl Fox ruled Monday that Betty Devin, the current wife of Donald Puryear, pay more than $10 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in punitive damages to Carol Puryear, the former wife.

Carol Puryear, who also has a lawsuit pending against her former husband, sued Devin, accusing her of acting in a malicious manner that contributed to or caused the loss of affection in her marriage.

Carol and Donald Puryear were divorced in early 2009 after a 15-year marriage. They had been separated since 2007. They have a 16-year-old son.

Devin did not appear in court for the bench trial Monday. Two lawyers represented her at different times while the suit went through court. But no attorney was present for the hearing Monday.

Efforts to reach Devin on Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Lawyers say awards in such cases are not based on the defendant’s ability to pay.

Stephanie Jenkins, the Raleigh lawyer representing Carol Puryear, said her client took her case to court to make a point.

“For my client, it was not about the money,” Jenkins said. “It was about sending a message that people should be held accountable for their actions.”

anne.blythe@newsobserver.com or 919-836-4948

This story was originally published March 6, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "$30 million awarded in alienation of affection."