Court Dismisses $400M Baldoni Suit Against Lively

A federal judge, Lewis J. Liman, has dismissed Justin Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times, finding the defamation, extortion, and breach of contract claims legally insufficient. The suit originated after Lively filed a sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni stemming from their collaboration on 'It Ends With Us,' which was reported by The New York Times. The court ruled Lively's statements were protected by litigation privilege, and that Sloane, Reynolds, and the Times did not act with actual malice. A $250 million defamation claim against The New York Times was also dismissed under the fair report privilege. Lively's legal team called the ruling a total victory and indicated plans to seek attorneys’ fees and punitive damages from Baldoni and associates. The judge allowed Baldoni to amend and refile limited claims related to alleged interference with contracts by June 23.