New York Times Seeks Dismissal of Justin Baldoni’s $250 Million Lawsuit
The New York Times has taken a significant step in the legal battle between actor Justin Baldoni and the publication by officially filing a motion to dismiss Baldoni’s $250 million lawsuit. The outlet submitted the motion in a New York federal court on February 28, seeking to defend its reporting on Blake Lively’s accusations against Baldoni.
In their court filing, The New York Times argued that their coverage of Lively’s claims in the article “We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine” was fair and accurate. They accused Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios of presenting a one-sided account of their feud with Lively and asserted that The Times should not be involved in the dispute.
Responding to these developments, a spokesperson for The New York Times emphasized that the publication was merely fulfilling its role as a news organization by informing the public of Lively’s complaint to the California Civil Rights Department. The Times reiterated its stance that the lawsuit against them was baseless and aimed at discrediting their reporting.
Baldoni, along with several other plaintiffs, including Melissa Nathan, Jennifer Abel, and It Ends With Us producers James Heath and Steve Saraowitz, initiated legal action against The New York Times on New Year’s Eve. The lawsuit alleges libel and false light invasion of privacy, claiming that the publication manipulated communications to mislead readers in the December 21 article.
Despite the plaintiffs’ efforts to portray their side of the story, the court filing by The New York Times argued that the lawsuit lacked merit and failed to establish a viable claim against the publication. The legal battle intensified as both sides stood firm on their positions.
Following the recent developments, a spokesperson for Blake Lively expressed agreement with The New York Times’ motion to dismiss the lawsuit against them. The spokesperson criticized Baldoni and his associates for their tactics, labeling the lawsuit as a PR document unfit for the court.
In conclusion, the legal dispute between Justin Baldoni and The New York Times continues to unfold, with both parties exchanging legal salvos. The outcome of this high-profile case remains uncertain, with implications for the future of media reporting and celebrity disputes. Stay tuned for further updates on this ongoing legal saga.