Would You Let Them Channing On Your Tatum?
'The Voice' Crowns Its Winner
In a case better suited for Judge Mathis, Paula Cook is proceeding with her civil suit against Fantasia Barrino for an antiquated legal cause of action called "Alienation of Affection" in a North Carolina court.
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In case you were too busy looking for a job to keep up with random hot ghetto mess celebrity gossip, the back story is this:
Fantasia meets Antwaun Cook in a T-Mobile store, Fantasia and Antwaun hook up, Fantasia gets sprung, Fantasia gets his name tattooed on her breast (OK, really her collarbone), turns out Antwaun is married, the wife finds out and goes the f*ck off, wife files for divorce and sues 'Tasia, 'Tasia tries to
North Carolina is one of only seven states in the United States that still allows for Alienation of Affection claims. Typically, the abandoned spouse sues the party responsible for the break up of their marriage, generally the cheating spouse's lover.
In this case, that would be Fantasia.
Historically, the Alienation of Affection law was based on the belief that a wife was the property of her husband. Therefore, when a woman was emotionally or sexually involved with another man, she was considered to have been stolen. Many divorce attorneys believe such laws should be repealed. Legal scholars believe the world has changed with women no longer being viewed as property.
But the law is alive and well in North Carolina and six other backward a** states, and Paula Cook wants her money. For her to win an Alienation of Affection claim, she must prove three things:
1) Love between the married spouses must have existed.
2) The marital love must have been alienated and destroyed.
3) The third party's conduct has to be proved to be malicious interference with the marriage relationship.
She has to prove that she and Antwaun loved each other, that the marriage has been destroyed and that Fantasia not only was the cause of the divorce, she intentionally had an affair with a married man knowing it could negatively impact his marriage. It is this third prong of the law that seems to be the point of most contention.
What did Fantasia know and when did she know it?
A defendant in an alienation claim has an absolute defense: knowledge, meaning the defendant did not know that the object of his or her affections was married.
Paula Cook argues that Fantasia knew her husband was married, and Fantasia says she had no idea. In the meantime, Fantasia offered her $100,000 to go away.
Radaronline.com is reporting that after a 12-hour mediation session, Paula said no deal and is holding out for more money.
Frankly, I think she should take it, as most women are cheated on for free.
The two are set to meet again on November 22, 2010. I hope her lawyer advises her to settle, because she could end up with a jury of other women like me -- women who think she's being greedy and ridiculous, and frankly, should go kick rocks.
Comments: (114)
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By: stare k on 11/12/2010 6:40PM
I wish they would pass that law in every state.I have been there . You would understand if you walked in Mrs. Cook shoes or my shoes.Mistresses have no respect for wives, untile they are the wives . And to address the wife is disgusting, Fantasia should pay . I know i will get some feed back on this . I still stand on my word .
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By: Meca on 11/12/2010 8:57PM
you are so right Stare.until you yourself has walked those shoes you will never understand that woman pain.its not about the money its much much much more.
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By: charlie on 11/15/2010 9:47AM
Stare k, it takes two don't just blame the women it was the husband who didn't bother to tell Fantaisa he was married. Furthermore, I wouldn't put it pass his wife she has probably done her dirt too she just haven't been caught yet. She should settle for the $100,000 and be happy for the free money. Question. If Fantasia was not a popular singer Do you think the wife would still sue? or would this story be on blackvoices?
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By: Karen H on 11/15/2010 10:04AM
I have been in those shoes as well. In fact several pairs but would have found no comfort in suing the "mistress". I don't know that these women knew my ex-husband was married or did I care to know. All I eventually knew was that I had a no good dirty low down nasty azz man who could have given me a serious STD. In my mind, SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH HIM. It takes too much time and energy to place blame on the other party. I don't care if the lawsuit is to teach her a lesson or not. You can't take what a person isn't willing to give so where does his responsibility come into play?
If the wife is willing to pursue this with the "mistress" and treat the man like he is the victim, then she had better keep her lawyer on permanent retainer. Cuz next she'll have to sue the mail lady, the girl who cuts hair at the barber shop, the checker at the grocery store.....eeeerrrbody.
That couple was already in distress. Fantasias' naivete just got her pulled into the trap.
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By: Gail on 11/15/2010 11:27AM
Charlie.....i agree 100%.
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By: Code cracker #2 on 11/15/2010 11:38AM
First of all i have much respect for wives but sister, you are dead wrong. Second Tasia didn't take a vow he did, he approoached her knowing full well who she is, he should be sued for fraud, he lied and misled her.it's the same old story I hate my wife,we don't have sex,blah, blah, blah. What part did he play, everybody wants to blame the woman(espieally if she's rich)how are we not sure this is not a scam to get Tasia's money.If a man is going to cheat he is going to cheat, it is not the other womans fault. Stop blaming the outside woman, no where in all of this story did i hear that she threatned him to sleep with her.The law should be removed from the books it takes two to tango. This sounds like the scarlet letter all over again.Men who cheat on their wives go through alot to hide their other life, another apartment , another cell phone/beeper, and the bill goes to his friends house so the wife doesn't find out.If you spy on your husband you might find a Tasia in his background too, but broke.
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By: gichaya on 11/15/2010 2:40PM
I honestly believe that Mr and Mrs Cook cooked this scheme up between the two of them to blink Fantasia out of her money. What married man takes a video of himself and the other woman into his home where it would be viewed by his wife? It was a setup from the beginning.
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By: Connie Baby on 11/15/2010 9:21PM
If it were not just about the money why did she not settle the case and take the money she was offered? No, she is being greedy and trying to get paid. when she should deal with her cheating husband, he knew he was married but he just want to get his knob polished and didn't think he was gonna get caught. This is probably not his first affair and it won't be his last. He played a major role in this and how much is he being sued for? All of these married people out here having affairs are the ones to blame for their divorces because they know they are married and should try to work on any problems they are having before going out and cheating jeopardizing the other person because they don't know.
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By: Barbara on 11/17/2010 11:18PM
I wholeheartedly agree with you. Where I live women married and single does not respect marriage.
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By: tina on 11/29/2010 1:40AM
i agree with u
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