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Escalating Legal Drama: Blake Lively Faces Defamation Lawsuit from PR Firm Amidst Ongoing Conflict with Justin Baldoni
Blake Lively, the esteemed actress known for her roles in Hollywood, finds herself embroiled in a complex legal battle that has recently intensified. On Tuesday, a defamation lawsuit was filed against her by Jed Wallace and his crisis public relations firm, Street Relations Inc.
The Underlying Conflict
The lawsuit stems from Lively’s December civil complaint concerning her co-star in It Ends With Us, Justin Baldoni. While she did not explicitly name Wallace or Street Relations in her initial legal action, Wallace contends that her references have nonetheless caused significant reputational damage.
Details of the Lawsuit
According to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital, the allegations made by Lively have already resulted in severe consequences. Wallace argues that both he and his firm are unjustly implicated, claiming, “Neither Wallace nor Street had anything to do with the alleged sexual harassment and retaliation. They also assert that no valid contract existed between them and Lively, thereby negating any claims of breach.”
Financial Impact and Claims
The lawsuit outlines that Lively’s statements, described as being made with either negligence or “actual malice,” have inflicted “millions of dollars” in damages. These damages include emotional distress for Wallace and losses of business for both Wallace and Street Relations, which collectively exceed $1,000,000. Furthermore, the plaintiffs are seeking punitive damages of no less than $6,000,000.
Lively’s Response
Lively’s legal team has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. They characterized the lawsuit as a retaliatory tactic against the actress for speaking out about the pressing issues of sexual harassment and retaliation. In a statement to Fox News Digital, they remarked, “This is not just a publicity stunt; it represents a transparent effort to silence Ms. Lively for her courageous stance.” They expressed confidence that the lawsuit will ultimately be dismissed.
The Broader Context
This lawsuit is part of a larger narrative involving Lively and Baldoni, who have been locked in a legal dispute since Lively filed her own complaint against him and producer Jamey Heath. In that grievance, she described allegations of sexual harassment, emotional distress, and negligence.
Baldoni’s Counterattack
In response to Lively’s allegations, Baldoni filed a staggering $400 million lawsuit against her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. His claims include accusations of civil extortion and defamation. Recently, Baldoni’s legal team released unedited footage from the set of It Ends With Us, asserting that it disproves Lively’s accusations of harassment. However, Lively’s team contends that the footage actually supports her claims.
The Court’s Gag Order
Following a request from Lively’s legal team, a gag order was sought against Baldoni’s lawyer to limit public commentary during the lawsuit proceedings. The situation escalated further when Baldoni’s lawyers termed Lively’s actions as intimidation and tactical maneuvering designed to distract from the core issues at hand.
Guidelines for Both Parties
On January 23, the court convened to address the ongoing disputes, with the judge instructing both legal teams to adhere to New York Rules of Professional Conduct. These guidelines restrict any statements to the press that could unfairly influence jury views while permitting both sides to defend themselves against public claims unrelated to the core issues of the case.
A Legal Quagmire
This increasingly complicated legal battle highlights the intricate dynamics of Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes interactions. As more details unfold, it is clear that both Lively and Baldoni are in a high-stakes fight, with potential implications for their careers and reputations.
As this saga continues to develop, it remains to be seen how the courts will resolve the serious allegations that have left both parties in the public eye.
