Justin Baldoni is fighting back against Blake Lively‘s request for a stronger protective order in their case!
Last week, the Gossip Girl star submitted a proposal for an enhanced protective order, specifically asking for a new category called “Attorney’s Eyes Only” to keep sensitive material private in the discovery process. She claimed due to the “high-profile individuals” involved in the case “and allegations of sexual harassment” that this was an appropriate action to take to avoid “threats” and “possible witness intimidation.” Previously, both parties agreed on a standard protective order.
Related: Ryan & Blake Defended By His Controversial Former Co-Star TJ Miller!
But on Tuesday, Justin’s team filed a letter to Judge Lewis J. Liman hitting back at Blake’s need for privacy, arguing:
“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.”
The Jane the Virgin alum’s lawyers noted that they are still fine with the court’s previously suggested protective order, but they think Blake’s new version “is not warranted,” pointing out:
“Ms. Lively has already publicized the alleged details of the so-called ‘harassment’ in her Amended Complaint. […] Therefore, Ms. Lively lacks a ‘good faith’ belief that there is any information of such a ‘personally sensitive nature’ that disclosure thereof to the parties ‘would unnecessarily violate [her] privacy rights….'”
But the A Simple Favor star isn’t backing down! Her team also fired back in a follow-up letter on Tuesday, blasting Justin’s team for claiming she’s trying to suppress evidence. Instead, her attorneys blasted the public for twisting the narrative about her filings to favor Justin — making this a key reason she wants to limit the details to only those necessary. They wrote:
“Certain online content creators who frequently parrot the Wayfarer Parties’ line … have used similar misleading accusations. […] The travels of the mischaracterization embraced by the Opposition through this manufactured echo chamber, by itself, provides ample justification for a Protective Order that establishes adequate protections for third-party privacy interests.”
In her amended complaint, the actress revealed there are two other female co-stars from It Ends With Us who made complaints about Justin or his Wayfarer producing partner Jamey Heath on set. They have apparently agreed to testify and provide evidence in the discovery process. So, it’s clear Blake is trying to protect them from receiving backlash from the public — which she says she and her husband Ryan Reynolds have faced throughout this ordeal.
But keeping things out of the public eye goes against Justin’s decision to release all his docs on a website, making it easier for curious fans to make up their own mind about what happened. Not to mention, the Man Enough author’s team already argued that the two unnamed performers “are clearly no longer willing to come forward or publicly support her claims” based on the mother of four’s amended lawsuit, so that’s probably why they also want all this info to be available publicly. They’re hoping to prove this theory for all to see!
It’ll be inneresting to see what the judge decides. So far, no decision has been made.
What do you think about this request, Perezcious readers? Does more privacy make sense? Or has Blake forfeited her right to that by making her feud so public anyway? Sound OFF (below).
