Man sues over ex-fiance $50K ring

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - A 53-year-old western New York man is suing his ex-fiance over a $50,000 diamond ring that she insists was a "parting gift."

The Buffalo News reports that Louis Billittier Jr. called off his engagement to Christa Clark because she refused to sign a prenuptial agreement. Now he wants the engagement ring back. Clark has refused, prompting Billittier to sue in state Supreme Court in Buffalo.

A text message Billittier sent to Clark after the break-up may lead the judge to side with her. In the text, Billittier referred to the ring as "a $50,000 parting gift." He now says he didn't really mean that.

Matrimonial lawyers outside the case say the court normally would side with the would-be groom, but in this case, the text message makes things less cut-and-dried.