Blake Lively has found herself in more trouble, as Jed Wallace, of the crisis management firm Street Relations, sued her for defamation, claiming $7 million in damages.
Wallace, of Street Relations, the crisis firm that has been accused of involvement in the PR clash of Lively and Justin Baldoni, has accused the ‘Gossip Girl’ alum of dragging him into their ongoing legal dispute with her actions, seeking at least $7 million in damages, along with a court order to clear his name of any wrongdoing.
Notably, Lively had alleged that Wallace helped Baldoni and his team in orchestrating a smear campaign against her by creating fake content against her on social media. She claimed that this content was to manipulate public opinion and build negative media attention around her.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal battle kicks off with pre-trial hearing
In his response, Wallace denied her claims of having any involvement in any supposed smear campaigns and maintained that he was falsely implicated in Lively’s sexual harassment complaint, which he called her retaliatory response to the public accusations.
To note, the defamation lawsuit came after the recent filing by Lively, in the Texas court, seeking an order to depose Wallace.
In response to Wallace’s lawsuit, her legal team, led by attorney Michael Gottlieb, issued a statement saying, “Another day, another state, another nine-figure lawsuit seeking to sue Ms. Lively ‘into oblivion’ for speaking out against sexual harassment and retaliation.”
“This is not just a publicity stunt – it is transparent retaliation in response to allegations contained within a sexual harassment and retaliation complaint that Ms. Lively filed with the California Civil Rights Department,” the statement read further. “While this lawsuit will be dismissed, we are pleased that Mr. Wallace has finally emerged from the shadows, and that he too will be held accountable in federal court.”
Besides the latest lawsuit, Lively is also being countersued by Baldoni over defamation, seeking $400 million in damages.
Mutib Khalid is a skilled content writer and digital marketer with a knack for crafting compelling narratives and optimizing digital strategies. Excel in creating engaging content that drives results and enhances online presence. Passionate about blending creativity with data-driven approaches, Mutib Khalid helps brands connect with their audience and achieve their goals.