Justin Baldoni’s lawyers say Blake Lively is trying to shield evidence from the public in the “It Ends With Us” stars’ legal battle, following the actress’ request for an enhanced protective order.
On Tuesday, attorneys for the “It Ends With Us” director and star, 41, addressed Lively’s Feb. 20 request for an enhanced protective order, which Baldoni’s team says is “not warranted,” though it’s fine with the court’s suggested protective order, according to People.
“Given how actively the Lively Parties have publicized and litigated Ms. Lively’s claims in the media, we are surprised to now learn how vehemently she wants to prevent the public from accessing material and relevant evidence,” read the letter, according to People.
Referring to the “publicized … alleged details” of the “Gossip Girl” alum’s amended complaint, filed last week, Baldoni’s team said there wasn’t a “‘good faith’ belief that there is any information of such a ‘personally sensitive nature’” which would need protecting.
Lively, 37, in late December filed a civil rights complaint accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of “It Ends With Us,” followed by an alleged retaliatory smear campaign. She formally sued Baldoni on Dec. 31, as he accused The New York Times of libel in a $250 million lawsuit, for its coverage of Lively’s allegations.
The “Jane the Virgin” alum filed a $400 million defamation and civil extortion lawsuit against Lively last month, also naming her husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane.
Along with her amended complaint last week — which claimed two other actresses were made “uncomfortable” on the set — Lively’s team last week requested an enhanced protective order, seeking approval for “Attorney’s Eyes Only.”
They argued that, since the case deals with “high-profile individuals and allegations of sexual harassment,” those involved could otherwise be exposed “to threats” and “possible witness intimidation,” as noted in a letter to Judge Lewis J. Liman obtained by People.
According to TMZ, Baldoni’s letter also points to Reynolds’ “planned skit” during “Saturday Night Live: 50th Anniversary Special,” in which he quipped about the lawsuits. Baldoni’s team reportedly identified the move as undercutting Lively’s request — which they see as an effort to rehabilitate her image.
Also on Tuesday, Lively’s lawyers responded to the “misleading accusations” laid out in Baldoni’s opposition.
Citing the “manufactured echo chamber” of “certain online content creators who frequently parrot the Wayfarer Parties’ line,” Lively’s team argued such a climate “provides ample justification for a Protective Order that establishes adequate protections for third-party privacy interests.”