Blake Lively has filed a motion to dismiss Justin Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit, citing a California law that protects individuals from retaliatory lawsuits if they report allegations of sexual harassment or misconduct. The move comes two days after her husband, Ryan Reynolds, asked the court to do the same.
Lively’s legal team cited California’s AB 933 law, which gives victims protection from being silenced or financially ruined by defamation lawsuits because they spoke up about being sexually harassed at work. If successful, Baldoni could be required to cover Reynolds and Lively’s legal fees.
According to a statement from Lively’s attorneys, Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, the lawsuit is a “profound abuse of the legal process” that has no place in federal court. They argue that Baldoni’s claims contradict his own statements about the actress’s intentions, and that the lawsuit contains admissions that the incidents underlying her sexual harassment claims occurred.
Lively previously made public allegations of sexual misconduct against Baldoni while filming It Ends With Us. The lawsuit also referenced several incidents, including a simulated nude scene filmed without an intimacy coordinator present and Baldoni discussing orgasming with his wife during sex.
Jenny Slate, who played Baldoni’s sister in the film, was asked about the drama in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter. She stated that she had nothing to say about it, saying “I don’t have anything to say about that” before shifting the conversation back to promoting her upcoming series, Dying for Sex.
Lively’s spokesperson described the situation as a “painful reality,” stating that the actress is not alone in being sued for defamation after speaking up about sexual harassment. They emphasized that California’s AB 933 law provides protection for victims who report allegations of misconduct, and that Lively has taken steps to ensure her voice is heard.
The case highlights the challenges faced by those who speak out against workplace harassment or misconduct, and the importance of protecting their rights under the law.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blake-lively-files-motion-to-dismiss-justin-baldonis-vengeful-lawsuit-citing-this-california-law-214641772.html