Caught on Camera: The CEO Kiss Cam Scandal & What It Means for Maryland Family Law

A seemingly lighthearted moment on the Coldplay concert kiss cam became a viral headline — and a career-ending scandal — for former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Office, Kristin Cabot. Captured on video swaying in an intimate embrace, the incident sparked an immediate public response and led to Byron and Cabot’s resignations within days.

While the internet focuses on the spectacle, the legal implications run deeper. In Maryland, evidence of a public act like this has the potential to influence decisions in family law matters

This case is a stark reminder that personal indiscretions — especially when broadcast publicly — can carry lasting legal and professional consequences.

Infidelity in Maryland Divorce: What the Law Actually Says

How Adultery Can Affect the Outcome of Divorce

As of October 1, 2023, Maryland divorce law no longer recognizes adultery as legal grounds for divorce. However, evidence of adultery is still relevant when it comes to:

• Alimony: Judges are still required by law to consider a list of statutory factors when assessing a party’s claim for alimony. One of the factors is “the circumstances that contributed to the estrangement of the parties.”
• Division of Marital Assets: When divorcing parties cannot reach an agreement regarding the division of their marital assets, a judge will do it for them. As with alimony, there is a similar list of statutory factors to consider, with the circumstances contributing to the estrangement of the parties being one of them. Additionally, a showing that a spouse used significant marital funds/assets to support an extramarital affair (for travel, gifts, housing, etc.), can have unhappy consequences for that spouse during the property division.
• Custody: Adultery, in and of itself, is not necessarily relevant to a determination of custody. It can, however, gain relevance if the extramarital affair resulted in emotional or physical harm to the child. It is not uncommon for a parent involved in an affair to be careless with his/her phone, resulting in the child being unintentionally exposed to inappropriate texts and photos. It is also not uncommon for there to be more intentional exposure to the affair, like introducing the child to the parent’s “friend.”

The Emotional and Legal Weight of Public Affairs

When infidelity becomes public, as it did in this case, the fallout can be severe — not just personally, but legally. The betrayed spouse may experience reputational damage, emotional trauma, or public embarrassment, all of which may factor into a court’s equitable decision-making.

Moreover, when the affair involves workplace misconduct or power imbalances — as it allegedly did with Byron and his subordinate — additional complications can arise, including employment consequences and loss of income.

 The Bottom Line

In today’s digital world, a single public moment can ignite a firestorm. Whether it’s a kiss cam, an Instagram story, or a text message screenshot, the evidence of infidelity is more visible than ever — and harder to deny.

For those fearing the legal consequences of their own infidelity, or those believing their spouse’s infidelity is their divorce or custody “jackpot,” understanding the relevance (or irrelevance) of adultery in family law matters is critical.

Disclaimer

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. If you’re considering divorce or have legal questions about infidelity, consult with a qualified family law attorney.

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