Man 'steals' wife, must pay $750,000

HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- A Mississippi man whose wife left him for a millionaire will be paid $750,000 for the "alienation of affection."

Johnny Fitch divorced his wife Sandra after she became pregnant and a paternity test confirmed his suspicions the child wasn't his, ABC News reported. He then sued the real father under the alienation of affection statute only on the books in Mississippi and six other states.

Millionaire businessman Jerry Fitch Sr., was ordered in state court to pay $750,000, but he appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. This week, the justices refused to hear the case, letting the lower court ruling stand, the report said.

Fitch claimed in state court their marriage was fine until his wife went to work for Fitch, which she denied.

The other states with similar statutes are Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota and Utah.