Justin Baldoni Refuses To Drop Blake Lively’s Publicist From Lawsuit; Accuses Her Of Using Him As A Scapegoat

The ongoing conflict between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has evolved from serious allegations. The legal saga involving Baldoni, director and actor of It Ends With Us, continues to intensify as his team filed a response opposing publicist Leslie Sloane’s motion to withdraw from the case. Baldoni’s legal team asserts that Sloane played a pivotal role in an alleged smear campaign against him.

Justin Baldoni’s Lawyers Accuse Blake Lively’s Publicist Of Using Him As Scapegoat

On Thursday, March 6, Baldoni, 41, submitted a response in the Southern District of New York. It contended that Sloane was heavily involved in actions aimed at damaging his reputation. “The Sloane Parties played an active and integral role in a conspiracy to inflict harm on the Wayfarer Parties,” Baldoni’s team stated in their filing. It was submitted to the Southern District of New York.

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According to People, his attorneys further alleged, “In a desperate effort to salvage Lively’s reputation and to escape her wrath, the Sloane Parties conspired with Lively. And consolidated defendants Ryan Reynolds and The New York Times Company to make scapegoats of the Wayfarer Parties for Lively’s woes.”

They went on to claim that Sloane and her team had been quietly planting damaging stories for months. Baldoni’s attorneys said, “As a direct result of the actions of the Sloane Parties and their co-conspirators, the Wayfarer Parties have been damaged beyond measure.” They are confident that the evidence presented in court will support their claims.

What Sloane’s Attorney Had To Say?

Sloane’s attorney, Sigrid McCawley, managing partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, fired back in a statement to People. “As our motion to dismiss makes clear, Leslie Sloane and her company Vision PR were dragged into this lawsuit in an attempt to distract from serious allegations of sexual harassment and systematic retaliation,” the statement read.

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What Is The Legal Battle Between Justin Baldoni And Blake Lively?

The legal conflict began when Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni. Also accused were his publicists, a crisis PR team, producer Jamey Heath, Wayfarer Studios, and its co-founder Steve Sarowitz. She accused them of sexual harassment and orchestrating a retaliatory smear campaign to damage her reputation. There are the allegations that Baldoni has denied. Sloane’s legal team maintains that she was wrongly implicated in the dispute. And she argues that there is no evidence to support claims. She also argued that Blake did not facilitate any false narratives against Baldoni. They have also contested Baldoni’s portrayal of Lively. They describe it as a misrepresentation of her role in the film’s creative process.

“Baldoni’s allegations about the creative issues are irrelevant and tellingly sexist,” the motion stated. “Because Ms. Lively, an executive producer on the film dared to offer input on the script, wardrobe and editing. Baldoni blasts her as ‘tyrannical’ and ‘aggressive,’ among other coded terms,” it further read, as reported by People. With no resolution in sight, the trial is slated to begin in March 2024.

Also Read: Blake Lively VS Justin Baldoni: Judge Calls It Ends With Us Legal Battle A Dispute Between PR Firms; Says, “Much Of This Information Will…”

Akankshya Mukherjee

Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.