Judge throws out Justin Baldoni’s defamation claims in Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds lawsuit
Justin Baldoni has faced a major defeat after his countersuit against Hollywood’s power couple, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, was dismissed by the judge.
According to latest reports, the actor’s lawsuit against the couple, their publicist, along with lawsuit against The New York Times, has been dropped by Judge Lewis J. Liman.
Per People Magazine, the judge decided to throw out the $400 million lawsuit which had claimed that Lively and Reynolds tried to blackmail him and hurt his reputation.
The judge also dismissed Baldoni’s $250 million defamation case against The New York Times.
But the judge said Baldoni’s lawyers can make changes and file the parts of the case again which regarding breach of implied covenant and tortious interference until June 23.
“The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than the statements in her CRD complaint, which are privileged,” the Judge wrote.
The statement continued, “The Wayfarer Parties have 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.
“But 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.”
“The Wayfarer Parties’ additional claims also fail. Accordingly, the Amended Complaint must be dismissed in its entirety.”
Last year in December, Lively sued her It Ends With Us costar alleging sexual harassment and retaliation.
Denying the allegations, he filed the countersuit and accused Lively and Reynolds of extortion and defamation.
