Justin Baldoni countersues Blake Lively, vows to unmask Hollywood’s ‘untouchable’ elite
Actor Justin Baldoni is preparing to countersue Blake Lively, alleging that her accusations of sexual harassment are unfounded and part of a deliberate smear campaign. The countersuit aims to challenge what Baldoni describes as baseless claims designed to damage his reputation.
Bryan Freedman, Baldoni's attorney, stated that this legal action is not just a response but a mission to uncover the "truth" and confront individuals who, in his words, weaponise false allegations for personal or professional agendas.
Justin Baldoni, director of "It Ends with Us" and former co-star of Blake Lively, is reportedly planning to file a countersuit against the actress following her recent allegations of sexual harassment.
As reported by The Daily Mail, Baldoni intends to proceed with legal filings in the weeks following the New Year.
Justin Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, told PEOPLE that the countersuit will "stun the public" and unveil what he describes as a "deliberately fabricated narrative" orchestrated by a prominent media outlet.
Freedman alleged that the publication relied on unreliable sources and bypassed essential fact-checking measures, leading to the dissemination of unfounded accusations.
Freedman further emphasised that the countersuit would be built on substantial evidence, shedding light on unethical practices driven by media sensationalism.
He likened the situation to previous controversies involving major networks and public figures such as Megyn Kelly and Gabrielle Union, asserting that this case highlights a broader problem of reputations being unfairly dismantled in Hollywood through manipulated narratives and misinformation.
Freedman also criticised the New York Times article published on December 21, accusing the publication of relying on manipulated text messages and neglecting to verify the credibility of their sources.
Justin Baldoni has denied all accusations against him, which range from sexual harassment to orchestrating a smear campaign.
The allegations surfaced after widespread support from Hollywood poured in for the "Gossip Girl" star, who filed an eight-page complaint outlining her experiences.
The complaint accused the director and a producer of the film of misconduct, including "entering her trailer while she was either naked or breastfeeding," "showing her pornographic content on their phones," "discussing her private life inappropriately," "fostering a hostile work environment", and "coercing her into performing intimate scenes without consent", among other charges.
Justin Baldoni's legal team has vehemently criticised the allegations linked to Blake Lively's lawsuit, branding them as baseless and manipulative.
Baldoni's lawyer, Robert Freedman, asserted that in his three decades of legal practice, he has rarely encountered such a blatant misrepresentation of facts.
"This is not an isolated incident but part of a larger trend in Hollywood and the media landscape", Freedman remarked.
He accused mainstream outlets of leveraging their platforms to twist narratives, prey on individuals' weaknesses, and tarnish reputations, all while evading accountability for their actions.
Robert Freedman pledged that Baldoni's impending lawsuit would take a firm stand against the persistent cycle of intimidation and defamation.
"This legal battle will send a strong message that no one, no matter how influential, is above accountability for their actions", he asserted.
"The truth will prevail, and it will expose the falsehoods and dismantle the power structures built on deception and fear", Freedman concluded.
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