Court rules on alleged cheater who kept $70,000 engagement ring in case that challenged state law

The highest court in Massachusetts recently ruled on a dispute over a $70,000 engagement ring between a former couple, Bruce Johnson and Caroline Settino. The court overturned a long-standing rule that assigned blame for the end of a relationship, instead deciding that the ring should be returned to the person who purchased it first. Johnson and Settino’s relationship ended after Johnson found concerning messages on Settino’s phone. The court ultimately ruled in favor of Johnson keeping the ring, stating that fault should not determine ownership of engagement rings. Both parties expressed their views on the court’s decision, with Johnson’s lawyer pleased and Settino’s lawyer disappointed but respecting the ruling.