In a dramatic legal turn, actor Justin Baldoni, best known for his role in It Ends with Us, has filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times. This lawsuit follows the publication’s recent article that centered on sexual harassment allegations made by his co-star, Blake Lively. Baldoni, alongside a group of 10 other plaintiffs, argues that the report, published on December 21, was defamatory and based on manipulated information.
Brian Fredman, the attorney representing Baldoni and his group of plaintiffs, expressed strong criticism of the newspaper, accusing The New York Times of yielding to the demands of powerful Hollywood elites and undermining journalistic integrity. In his statement, Fredman alleges that the publication doctored texts and deliberately omitted information that could have contradicted the claims made in the article, ultimately creating a narrative that suited their PR objectives.
The lawsuit comes just days after Blake Lively filed a formal complaint with the California Department of Civil Rights, which is considered a precursor to a larger lawsuit. As reported by TMZ on December 31, Lively has since filed a formal federal lawsuit in New York, accusing Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, of retaliation in response to her harassment claims.
At the time the New York Times article was published, Fredman denied Lively’s allegations, calling them “completely false” and “outrageous.” He further described the claims as an attempt to damage Baldoni’s reputation, accusing Lively of trying to publicly harm him and create negative press.
Lively’s legal team, however, maintains that her decision to speak out resulted in significant retaliation. They have alleged that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios violated both federal and state law by retaliating against Lively after she reported concerns about sexual harassment and workplace safety.
As the legal battle unfolds, the case is expected to have far-reaching implications, not only for the individuals involved but also for the broader issue of how harassment claims are handled within Hollywood. Both sides are preparing for further legal proceedings as the dispute continues to develop.
