Dismissed: Court Throws Out Justin Baldoni's Lawsuit Against Blake Lively 📞📝💰
Lawsuit filed by Justin Baldoni against Blake Lively is declined by the court.
In a shocking turn of events, actor Justin Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively and her spouse Ryan Reynolds has been thrown out by a New York judge. The judge, Lewis Liman, pointed out that Baldoni failed to provide substantial evidence to back up his claims as the reason for this decision.
Originally, Baldoni had demanded a whopping $400 million in damages, alleging defamation following Lively's public accusations of sexual harassment. However, judge Lewis J. Liman made it clear that Lively's claims were legally protected and, therefore, notactionable. Besides, the judge dismissed all other allegations, such as blackmail, and left open only the possibility for Baldoni to refile a revised lawsuit for "unjustified contract interference."
When talking about the case, Lively's legal team was ecstatic. "Today's decision is a complete victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively," they said, adding that the ruling also benefited those dragged into this "retaliatory lawsuit," including Reynolds, Katie Leslie Sloane, and the "New York Times." The legal team is now examining requests for reimbursement of legal fees and damages against Baldoni and the other parties involved.
The drama between Lively and Baldoni kicked off in December 2023, when Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni for sexual harassment and retaliatory measures on the set of "Just One More Time." She accused Baldoni and the Wayfarer Studios team of waging a smear campaign against her after her complaint.
Not So Fast, "New York Times"!
Baldoni also targeted the "New York Times" in his lawsuit for their coverage of the alleged scandal. To his dismay, though, Judge Liman didn't see any grounds for a defamation lawsuit here either. Media reporting on ongoing or filed legal proceedings is protected by the "Fair Report Privilege," which shields the press from liability for potential reputation damage.
Supporting the ruling, a representative for "The New York Times" expressed gratitude: "We are grateful that the court has recognized the lawsuit against 'The New York Times' for what it was: a baseless attempt to stifle honest reporting. Our journalists have reported on an important story with care and fairness."
Blake's Counterattack Sidelined... For Now 🥊
Judge Liman found Lively's original claims against Baldoniwere made within the context of an official complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department. Under the "Litigation Privilege," legal statements aren't subject to defamation lawsuits.
Even statements made by Reynolds concerning Baldoni as a "sexual predator," which were made in a private setting, fell under this protection, along with Leslie Sloane, Baldoni's PR agent, who relied on Lively's account when speaking to the media.
This doesn't mark the end of the legal saga, though. A trial in Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, originally scheduled for March 2025, is still on the cards. As of now, it's unclear whether Baldoni will opt to reassert some of the claims in a revised form or whether this completes the chapter for him.
Sources: ntv.de, lme/spot
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The Commission, in light of the ongoing legal dispute between celebrities Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, may consider consulting on potential revisions to the draft directive regarding defamation and celebrity right-to-privacy, given the recent court decisions and legal implications in entertainment. The entertainment industry, as depicted in this case, is a dynamic landscape where celebrities' personal and professional lives intertwine, often necessitating careful navigation of legal complexities.
