— A Wake County judge awarded the ex-wife of a local business owner $30 million Monday in an alienation of affection lawsuit against his current wife.

Superior Court Judge Carl Fox handed down a judgment against Betty Devin requiring her to pay over $10 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in punitive damages to Carol Puryear, the former wife of Donald Puryear, who owns a trucking company in Raleigh.

The settlement is the largest of its kind in North Carolina history, according to court records.

To win an alienation of affection suit, one party must prove that a third party acted maliciously to contribute to or cause the loss of affection in a marriage.

Devin was not represented and didn't appear in court.

Neither party could be reached for comment Monday evening.