Justin Baldoni Sues New York Times

Justin Baldoni, director and co-star of 'It Ends With Us', along with nine other plaintiffs including Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath, Melissa Nathan, Jennifer Abel, and Steve Sarowitz, has filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that The New York Times published a 'false and defamatory article' titled “‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine” on December 21. This article reported on sexual harassment allegations made by Blake Lively against Justin Baldoni and a producer on the film, and claimed Baldoni orchestrated a smear campaign against her. Baldoni's lawsuit asserts that The New York Times 'relied almost entirely on Lively’s unverified and self-serving narrative,' disregarding evidence that contradicted her claims and exposed her true motives. The New York Times has stated it will 'vigorously defend' against the lawsuit, maintaining its story was 'meticulously and responsibly reported.' Blake Lively also filed a legal complaint with the United States — California Civil Rights Department and a separate lawsuit in federal court, seeking damages for emotional distress and suing Justin Baldoni and Baldoni's crisis PR team. Following Lively's initial complaint and The New York Times' story, Justin Baldoni was dropped by his talent agency, William Morris Entertainment.