Dallas church assistant claims affair with former Obama pastor

Elizabeth Payne, a former executive assistant at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, told the New York Post she had an affair with Rev. Jeremiah Wright and lost her job and husband once news of the affair spread.

Payne refused to elaborate how she met Wright, but she served as secretary to one of his protégés, Rev. Frederick Haynes III. Members of the church "found out about the affair in the spring," Payne said. According to the Post, Payne "organized a series of Texas public appearances" for Wright in April.

Fred Payne learned of the affair in February after finding "about 80" emails between his then-wife and the controversial pastor. "Wright said things like he was going to leave his wife for Elizabeth."

Payne said she has been "banished" from her church. "I'm not a member of the congregation anymore; I'm not even allowed on the premises."  

Payne's alleged affair comes on the heels of Dallas trial lawyer Fred Baron's revelation just weeks ago of his involvement in former U.S. Sen. John Edward's (D-N.C.) affair with a campaign worker.  Baron admitted to paying to relocate the aide, Rielle Hunter, from North Carolina to California late last year so she could escape media attention.