In the latest, stunning twist of a public scandal that has gripped the internet, legal experts are now saying that former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron’s alleged infidelity is unlikely to have a significant impact on his divorce settlement. Despite the firestorm of public outrage and professional ruin triggered by a “kiss cam” video and subsequent allegations of a $40,000 OnlyFans scandal, California’s “no-fault” divorce laws mean Byron’s financial liabilities may be far less than many assume.
The legal reality, experts say, is a stark contrast to the court of public opinion. In California, a state that pioneered the no-fault divorce system, the reasons for a marital breakup are legally irrelevant. As family law attorney Richard Sullivan told The Economic Times, “The court doesn’t care who cheated or why the marriage ended. Infidelity may be morally outrageous, but it doesn’t change the financial outcome.”
This legal principle is now at the center of the unfolding divorce between Byron and his estranged wife, Megan Kerrigan. While the “ColdplayGate” incident and the alleged payments to an OnlyFans creator have been a source of immense public humiliation, they are not, in themselves, grounds for a larger financial settlement. California law does not award “punitive damages” for marital misconduct.
However, there is one crucial legal carve-out that could still make Byron’s alleged actions a factor in court: the misuse of “community funds.” In California, a community property state, all assets and debts acquired during the marriage are typically split 50/50. If Kerrigan can prove that Byron used marital money for the alleged affair—to pay for the video calls or other expenses—he could be required to reimburse the marital estate for the amount spent. This would then be factored into the equitable division of assets.
As one family law attorney noted, “Unless community funds were used to support the affair—like expensive travel or gifts—cheating has very little legal consequence. It might matter emotionally. But in court, it’s irrelevant.”
The legal analysis comes as Byron faces a public and professional reckoning. He resigned from his CEO position at Astronomer after the initial viral video, and his estranged wife, Megan Kerrigan, has publicly signaled the end of their marriage by changing her social media name and moving into the couple’s property in Maine.
While the court of public opinion may have already handed down its verdict, the legal system remains bound by a different set of rules. For Andy Byron, the emotional cost of his alleged infidelity will undoubtedly be high, but in the eyes of California law, “cheating” is not a marital crime that automatically leads to a larger alimony payment. The focus will remain on a fair division of assets and financial support based on need, not on who was at fault.