CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Court documents claim a local singer who won American Idol is accused of making a sex tape with a married man.
Fantasia Barrino is also named in a lawsuit between that man and his wife.
Judging by the photos on the Internet, Barrino and Antwuan Cook have not been shy about their relationship.
Barrino proudly displays his tattoo.
The complaint filed Wednesday by Cook's wife says their affair started in August 2009, a few months after Barrino gave NewsChannel 36 an interview and described the kind of man she was looking for.
Show you genuine love, care about you, know when you re sick, just be there for you, Barrino told us in May 2009.
Barrino may have found that love in Cook, but he's married.
His wife, Paula Cook, has filed a complaint seeking custody of the couple's two young children, ages 1 and 4, along with child support and alimony.
The complaint references a sex tape as one possible element to prove an affair. Court documents say the Husband and Ms. Barrino have at times recorded their illicit sexual activity.
You can sue that third party. Most of the cases involve sex. It doesn t have to be sex. It can be something much lower, said Professor Beau Baez from the Charlotte School of Law.
He says that North Carolina is one of seven states where a home wrecker has something to worry about. They can be sued.
According to the complaint, Barrino told Paula Cook to get lost in so many words.
Court documents show in a phone call, Barrino says, He don t want you. Maybe the next time that you get a husband you'll know how to keep him. That's why he is here with me.
Baez says, Seems like she would have been much better off, especially, she has money right? She wants to protect her money, say, 'Look, I m interested in a relationship, why don t you get a divorce and let's talk later.'
Barrino is not being sued -- not yet, Baez says.
The complaint is a potential first step and the American Idol winner could potentially be on the hook for millions.
To read the complaint against Fantasia, click here.
