A popular TikTok influencer has been hit with a massive financial penalty after a jury found her responsible for deliberately wrecking a marriage. Brenay Kennard, who boasts a combined following of over 3 million on TikTok and Instagram, has been ordered by a court to pay $1.75 million in damages to Akira Montague, the ex-wife of her current husband, Timothy Montague.
The Lawsuit and The Allegations
The legal battle began when Akira Montague filed a civil lawsuit in May 2024 at the Durham County Superior Court. She accused Kennard of two specific legal claims: "alienation of affection" and "criminal conversation." These laws, which are only recognized in a handful of states including North Carolina, allow a spouse to sue a third party for ruining their marriage.
Akira's complaint detailed that Kennard began creating social media content with Timothy Montague while he was still married. It was alleged that many of these posts, which often featured their day-to-day life, were made without Akira's knowledge or consent. The lawsuit further claimed that Kennard "flaunted" her relationship online and even tried to justify the alleged affair during a TikTok livestream. Adding to the grievance, Akira accused Kennard of publicly sharing photos of her children that she shares with Timothy.
The Trial and The Verdict
The case went to trial at the Durham County Courthouse, where the jury heard contrasting stories from both sides. Timothy Montague testified that he was never in love with Akira, describing their marriage as being "just like roommates" and stating they had separated in 2021. Akira reportedly disputed this, asserting that Timothy came home every weekend and that they were intimate.
Kennard, who represented herself in the case, argued in her closing statements that she could not be the reason the marriage ended, claiming it "had been falling apart for years." Despite her defence, after deliberating for about one hour and fifty minutes, the jury sided with Akira Montague on Monday. A Superior Court judge subsequently ordered Kennard to pay $1.5 million for "alienation of affection" and an additional $250,000 for "criminal conversation."
Fallout and Reactions to the Ruling
The verdict was met with strong criticism from the losing side. In a statement after the ruling, Brenay Kennard slammed it as "outrageous," claiming the lawsuit was "all about money" and that Akira's legal team "lied the entire time." She wrote, "The truth will always be the truth... [Akira] may have won the battle but not the war. God will have the final say."
Timothy Montague echoed these sentiments, calling the verdict "absolutely outrageous" and claiming the other side won by "pulling the sympathy card." He insisted the marriage lacked genuine love.
In contrast, Akira Montague's lawyer stated to PEOPLE that the case was about accountability, not vengeance. "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 read.
