Blake Lively feels “vindicated” after a judge dismissed Justin Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit against her.
“Today’s opinion is a total victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively, along with those that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties dragged into their retaliatory lawsuit, including Ryan Reynolds,” the “Gossip Girl” alum’s attorneys Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb told Page Six in a statement Monday.
“As we have said from day one, this ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it.”
Lively’s attorneys shared that they plan on “seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages against Baldoni” for bringing the “abusive litigation.”
The actress’ legal team spoke out shortly after the judge tossed the “Jane the Virgin” star’s defamation lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds as well as his $250 million libel lawsuit against the New York Times.
According to court documents obtained by Page Six, Judge Lewis J. Liman wrote that Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, “have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than the statements in her [California Civil Rights Department] complaint, which are privileged.”
Liman explained that the producer’s complaint “alleged that Reynolds and [publicist Leslie] Sloane made additional statements accusing Baldoni of sexual misconduct and that the ‘Times’ made additional statements accusing the Wayfarer Parties of engaging in a smear campaign.”
“The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Reynolds, Sloane or the ‘Times’ would have seriously doubted these statements were true based on the information available to them, as is required for them to be liable for defamation under applicable law,” he continued.
Baldoni’s legal team has yet to respond to the ruling.
Rumors of a feud between Lively and Baldoni began swirling in August 2024 during promotion for their film, “It Ends With Us.”
Lively, 37, filed a complaint against Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment before filing a formal lawsuit one week later.
She also accused her co-star/director of organizing a smear campaign to ruin her reputation, which she claimed caused emotional distress.
The “Age of Adaline” star, however, moved to withdraw her emotional distress claims last week after Baldoni’s attorneys requested access to her medical and mental health records.
The judge denied Lively’s request for a dismissal without prejudice — meaning she could refile them at a later time.
Baldoni, 41, has maintained his innocence and denied her allegations.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
Read the full article here
