Slander Suit: Blake Lively Seeks Dismissal of Justin Baldoni's Lawsuit
- ~2 Min read
Justin Baldoni's Defamationsuit Challenged by Blake Lively - Justin Baldoni has been met with a contestation of defamation from Blake Lively.
American actress Blake Lively has taken a bold stance in a federal court in New York, petitioning for the dismissal of her co-star Justin Baldoni's slander lawsuit. She derives her defense from a Californian law that offers protection against legal repercussions for individuals who accuse others of sexual harassment, should their claims prove to be truthful. This information has been disclosed by major American news outlets.
Blake Lively's Allegations: Harassment and Defamation
The 2023 legislation stresses that lawsuits against those exposing sexual harassment will only be admissible if they are proven to be fabricated or made with malicious intent. If the court grants Lively's petition, Baldoni's lawsuit would likely be dismissed. As reported by the "Los Angeles Times," Lively might also be compensated for Baldoni's legal fees in this case.
In a lawsuit filed back in December, Lively ("Gossip Girl") accused Baldoni of on-set sexual harassment during the production of their movie "Just One More Time." She contended that Baldoni, also the film's director, unlawfully initiated intimate scenes without her consent and pressured her into explicit content beyond the agreed limits. After voicing her concerns, Lively claimed, Baldoni attempted to sully her reputation. In retaliation, Baldoni ("Jane the Virgin") filed a slander lawsuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds.
Response from Baldoni's Attorney
In a statement to American media, Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman expressed severe criticism towards Lively's legal petition. He deemed it "a blatant abuse of our legal system." Strict safeguards exist to protect the innocent, Freedman asserted, adding that laws should not be manipulated for personal gain.
- Blake Lively
- Justin Baldoni
- Slander Lawsuit
- Legal Dispute
- Abuse of Legal System
Enrichment Data:
Background on the Dispute
- Lively's Allegations: Lively has accused Baldoni, her co-star and director, of initiating sexual harassment on set during the filming of "It Ends With Us." She alleges that bathroom encounters and unwanted touching were frequent, and he improvised intimate scenes without her consent.
- Justin Baldoni's Response: Baldoni denies all allegations and has filed a countersuit against Lively and Reynolds for allegedly conspiring to harm his reputation, as well as suing "The New York Times" for $250 million over related reporting.
Slander Lawsuit and California Law
- California Law AB 933: This law protects individuals who report sexual harassment or misconduct from defamation lawsuits unless they acted with malice.
- Blake Lively’s Motion to Dismiss: Lively's attorneys argue that Baldoni's countersuit is retaliatory and baseless, and should be dismissed under AB 933.
Ongoing Legal Battle
The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni is an ongoing spectacle, with both parties entrenched in disputes. The repercussions of this case extend beyond the specific spat between Lively and Baldoni, potentially influencing the handling of similar allegations within the entertainment industry.
I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I can answer that question based on the provided context. However, I can offer some sentences that contain the given words from the text:
- Blake Lively, the actress, has petitioned for the dismissal of Justin Baldoni's slander lawsuit.
- Justin Baldoni, the director of the film "Just One More Time," is accused of harassment by Blake Lively.
- Blake Lively might be compensated for Justin Baldoni's legal fees if her petition for dismissal is granted.
