Blake Lively Seeks Justin Baldoni’s Phone Records To Prove Alleged Smear Campaign

Blake Lively’s legal team has taken a bold step in her ongoing lawsuit against It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni. She has subpoenaed his phone records, alleging that Baldoni and his team engaged in a coordinated effort to ruin her reputation after she spoke out about sexual harassment on set.

How the Dispute Started

The legal dispute started when Lively alleged Baldoni engaged in sexual harassment and retaliation during the production of It Ends With Us. 

In response, Baldoni denied the claims and filed a countersuit against Lively, accusing her of defamation and extortion, with a demand for $400 million in damages. 

Phone Records Under Scrutiny

Lively’s attorneys have issued subpoenas to major phone carriers AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to access Baldoni’s call and text logs. They are also seeking records from his associates, including producer Jamey Heath and billionaire Steve Sarowitz. 

In addition, internet providers Cloudflare and AOL were subpoenaed, along with crisis consultant Jed Wallace, who is accused of orchestrating an online smear campaign against Lively.

Possible Evidence of a Smear Campaign

Lively’s team already has messages from Baldoni’s publicist, Jennifer Abel, discussing ways to “bury” and “destroy” the actress. Now, they believe the phone records will provide crucial metadata, showing how the alleged plan unfolded and who was involved.

A spokesperson for Lively stated, "Phone records from the individual defendants will reveal the full network of those involved in the smear campaign against Ms. Lively. These records will offer critical, irrefutable evidence detailing who was involved, as well as when, where, and how the retaliation plan was formulated and carried out."

Baldoni’s Response to the Legal Action

Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has dismissed the subpoenas as a “massive fishing expedition.” He argues that Lively’s legal team has demanded “every single call, text, and real-time location” from the past 2.5 years, regardless of relevance.

What’s Next in the Case?

Lively’s legal team is pushing forward with discovery to gather more evidence before filing their amended complaint. While they initially sought an extension to March 5, Judge Lewis J. Liman only granted them an additional four days. The amended complaint is now due on Tuesday.

This case continues to unfold as both sides prepare for an intense legal battle.

Also Read:

• Justin Baldoni Claims 'Nicepool' Character In 'Deadpool & Wolverine' Targets Him Amid Legal Battle
• Lively And Reynolds Seek Dismissal Of Baldoni's $400 Million Lawsuit
• Blake Lively Faces Defamation Lawsuit From Crisis PR Firm Amid 'It Ends With Us' Controversy