MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

An alienation of affection suit filed last year has been voluntarily dropped.

Pro se plaintiff Hugh Brandt has been suing Rusty Churchman, also known as Rusty Lee, the man he claimed stole the affections of his wife.

Brandt dropped his suit June 29 after reaching a settlement in his divorce from his former wife, Lesa Ann Brandt.

Brandt claimed that Churchman caused the end of his marriage and sought damages of at least $50,000.

Lesa Ann Brandt originally filed for divorce in April 2009, seeking to end the couple's 13-year marriage. She sought divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences.

However, she then dropped the divorce three days later.

Hugh Brandt eventually initiated the divorce again about a month later.

Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis consolidated the lawsuit with the Brandts' divorce action.

The file was eventually assigned to Madison County Associate Judge Dean Sweet.

The June 29 order signed by Sweet does not state any settlement amount. The order states the alienation of affection suit is dismissed with prejudice and all costs have been paid.

Hugh Brandt represented himself in the civil case.

Lesa Brandt and Churchman were represented by David Ferman and Robert Elovitz.

The case is Madison case number 09-L-1131.