NEW YORK, NY – In a high-profile defamation lawsuit reportedly amounting to $400 million, a judge in Manhattan indicated on Tuesday that he is leaning towards dismissing the New York Times as a defendant. The suit, brought by actor Justin Baldoni, alleges that the newspaper conspired with actress Blake Lively to tarnish his reputation after she accused him of sexual harassment.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman expressed that the Times’ motion to be removed from the case presented compelling reasons for dismissal and a strong likelihood of success based on its merits. In response to the Judge’s stance, Baldoni has vigorously denied any claims of sexual harassment towards Lively, as well as involvement in a smear campaign against her.
The legal battle between Baldoni and Lively stems from her allegations of sexual harassment during the filming of the 2024 movie “It Ends With Us,” which Baldoni directed. Notably, Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, is also a defendant in Baldoni’s lawsuit. Legal representatives for Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, have yet to provide comments addressing the recent developments, while legal counsel for Lively and Reynolds have also remained silent on the matter.
Baldoni has accused the New York Times of colluding with Lively to perpetuate a false and malicious narrative against him, dubbing the newspaper as a “conduit for her revenge.” This accusation follows the publication of an article on December 21, 2024, titled “‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine.” The Times, in their defense, maintains that they were merely engaged in traditional newsgathering and reporting practices, denying any actual malice in their actions.
With the Times’ request to suspend discovery pending a decision on their motion to dismiss approved by Judge Liman, a temporary halt in the evidence-gathering process has been enforced. In response to the recent court proceedings, a spokesperson for the Times, Danielle Rhoades Ha, emphasized the significance of First Amendment values in their defense, stating that the court’s decision prevents Baldoni from burdening the newspaper with intrusive discovery requests in what they believe to be an unjustly brought case.
Overall, as the legal battle continues to unfold in the courtrooms, the outcome remains uncertain, with both parties fiercely maintaining their positions amidst the swirling allegations and accusations.