Judge Tosses Most of Blake Lively’s Harassment Claims Against Baldoni
Judge Tosses Most of Blake Lively’s Harassment Claims Against Baldoni
A federal judge in New York dismissed most of Blake Lively’s harassment claims against It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, leaving three live counts ahead of a May trial.
A federal judge in New York dismissed the majority of Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, narrowing the dispute to three live allegations ahead of a May trial.
Judge Lewis Liman granted motions to dismiss 10 of 13 counts; among those dropped were sexual harassment and defamation. The remaining counts are breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation, which will be adjudicated at a civil trial on May 18 in New York.
Lively's team argued Baldoni and his studio engaged in retaliation and a smear campaign on and off set; Baldoni has denied wrongdoing and countersued, though that countersuit was previously dismissed.
The case centers on interactions during the production of It Ends With Us, an adaptation in which Lively stars as Lily Bloom. The judge's decision keeps the focus on retaliation and reputation-damaging activity, rather than on harassment claims the judge ruled were not viable on the record presented.
A separate $400 million counter-lawsuit by Baldoni against Lively was dismissed last year. With three claims left, Lively plans to testify at the May 18 trial, while Baldoni and his legal team have not provided new comments for this update.
