Legal Commentary

Edwards? Affair Spawns Litigation

By Jonathan H. Adler

I have not been paying much attention to the sordid details of former Senator John Edwards? personal life, and it seems I?ve missed quite a bit ? and there are even some interesting legal issues.  For instance, this morning I learned that Elizabeth Edwards is threatening to sue Andrew Young, a former aide to Senator Edwards, for alienation of affection.  ABC News reports:

In such a lawsuit, Edwards would argue an ?alienation of affection,? alleging that Andrew Young?s role in covering up his former boss?s affair with campaign videographer Rielle Hunter was partly responsible for the failure of the Edwardses? marriage.

Edwards is demanding Young stop speaking about the Edwardses? marriage as he promotes his book, and that he make a major charitable donation. More from Overlawyered.

ABC also reports Hunter has sued Young to obtain possession of an alleged Edwards-Hunter sex tape.  (I?m sure there?s a juicy Property I exam fact pattern in there somewhere.)

Mickey Kaus (via Instapundit) has an idea:

I say we let Elizabeth Edwards sue Andrew Young for ?alienation of affections? when we let Warren Buffett sue both Edwardses for obtaining campaign contributions under massively false pretenses.

Full post as published by The Volokh Conspiracy on February 12, 2010 (boomark / email).