Judge strikes Justin Baldoni's letter accusing Blake Lively of pressuring Taylor Swift
A federal judge has struck a letter and affidavit from Justin Baldoni's attorney alleging that Blake Lively pressured Taylor Swift amid the ongoing Lively v. Wayfarer Studios case.
On May 15, Judge Lewis J. Liman granted Blake Lively's motion to strike a letter from Bryan Freedman, Baldoni's lawyer, calling it 'improper' and 'irrelevant to any issue before this Court.' The letter alleged Lively's lawyers demanded Swift issue a public statement of support and threatened to release private text messages if she refused.
Lively's legal team responded strongly, saying, 'The court saw through Mr. Freedman's inflammatory accusations,' and warned further misconduct could face sanctions.
Freedman's original claims, tied to Baldoni's attempt to subpoena Swift, cited an unnamed source 'closely linked' to Swift, claiming Lively's team made extortionate threats. He later submitted an affidavit under penalty of perjury, detailing an alleged Valentine's Day call in which the source described pressure placed on Swift.
Lively's attorney, Mike Gottlieb, categorically denied the claims, calling them 'cowardly,' 'unfounded,' and 'abusive.' He further accused Baldoni's legal team of using the court docket to leak defamatory information to the press.
The legal battle began when Lively accused Baldoni, her It Ends with Us co-star and director, of sexual harassment. Baldoni, 41, countersued for $400 million, claiming defamation and extortion. Swift, though subpoenaed, has publicly distanced herself from the case.
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