Justin Baldoni is dealing with a significant setback in his authorized battle towards Blake Vigorous and Ryan Reynolds.
Decide Lewis J. Liman granted the movement to dismiss Baldoni, 41, and the Wayfarer Events’ $400 million lawsuit towards Vigorous, 37, and Reynolds, 48, that alleged extortion and defamation on Monday, The Put up can affirm.
The choose additionally dismissed Baldoni’s $250 million defamation lawsuit towards the New York Occasions.
However Decide Liman did reportedly observe that Baldoni’s authorized crew can nonetheless amend the claims for breach of implied covenant and tortious interference with contract. The deadline to take action is June 23.
“The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than the statements in her CRD complaint, which are privileged,” Decide Liman wrote within the opinion and order submitting obtained by The Put up.
“The Wayfarer Parties have alleged that Reynolds and [publicist Leslie] Sloane made additional statements accusing Baldoni of sexual misconduct and that the Times made additional statements accusing the Wayfarer Parties of engaging in a smear campaign,” Decide Liman continued. “But the Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Reynolds, Sloane or the Times would have seriously doubted these statements were true based on the information available to them, as is required for them to be liable for defamation under applicable law.”
Vigorous’s attorneys, Esra Hudson & Mike Gottlieb, instructed The Put up in an announcement: “Today’s opinion is a total victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively, along with those that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties dragged into their retaliatory lawsuit, including Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane and The New York Times. As we have said from day one, this ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it. We look forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages against Baldoni, Sarowitz, Nathan, and the other Wayfarer Parties who perpetrated this abusive litigation.”
The Put up has reached out to Baldoni’s legal professional for remark.
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