Justin Baldoni and his partner Jennifer Abel have filed a lawsuit against former publicist Stephanie Jones. The suit claims that Jones leaked private text messages that played a major role in a series of legal battles involving the film director and actress Blake Lively. This legal fight is only one part of a broader dispute that has affected several high-profile figures in Hollywood.
Lawsuit Filed
Justin Baldoni and Jennifer Abel have taken legal action against Stephanie Jones. The complaint, filed in New York federal court, alleges that Jones acted wrongly by sharing confidential text messages. According to the lawsuit, the texts were taken from a phone that belonged to a colleague and were given to Blake Lively’s team. This action, the lawsuit claims, triggered a chain reaction that led to further legal problems for Baldoni and his company, Wayfarer Studios.
The complaint states that Jones had been handling public relations for Baldoni and his company during a time when tensions began to rise. Reports emerged that Blake Lively and other cast members had stopped following Baldoni on social media. Jones was later terminated from her role at Wayfarer Studios because of her own conduct, and the lawsuit says that she retaliated by leaking the texts.
Legal Background
The legal battle between Baldoni and Lively has deep roots. The controversy started when a domestic violence drama, titled It Ends With Us, saw unexpected success at the box office. The film, made on a modest budget, earned over $351 million worldwide. However, the success was quickly overshadowed by disputes on and off set.
In December 2024, Blake Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. In that filing, she accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during the film’s production in 2023. The allegations also included claims that Baldoni had orchestrated a campaign of negative press against her in 2024. These claims were later featured in a report by a major newspaper after thousands of pages of text messages and emails were reviewed under subpoena.
At the same time, Baldoni and several other parties, including crisis publicist Melissa Nathan and Abel, filed a lawsuit against the New York Times for $250 million, accusing the paper of libel. Soon after, Lively responded with a suit against Baldoni and the group, alleging retaliation for her reports on harassment and workplace safety issues. Baldoni later added to the legal quarrel by filing a $400 million suit for civil extortion and defamation against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
Alleged Leaks
The central claim in the new lawsuit is that Stephanie Jones acted maliciously. The complaint asserts that Jones took over communications from her partner’s phone—without permission—and provided those messages to Leslie Sloane, Blake Lively’s publicist. Jones is accused of doing this intentionally to create a false narrative that would harm Baldoni and his associates.
The leaked texts reportedly showed private communications that could be altered or taken out of context. This action, according to Baldoni’s legal team, not only breached privacy rights but also harmed the reputation and business interests of both Baldoni and his company, Wayfarer Studios. The texts are said to have been used by Lively’s team to support their claims in the public dispute.
Court Proceedings
The complaint filed in New York federal court details several troubling events. It describes an incident on August 21, 2024, when Jennifer Abel was confronted in the Jonesworks office. According to the suit, Abel was forced to sign documents under heavy pressure. Her phone was seized during that time, and she was told that her personal cell phone number would be released only after handing over the device. Abel later discovered that her private contacts, emails, and personal data had been compromised. This move is now under scrutiny as a violation of California labor laws, with the lawsuit claiming that Abel lost access to important accounts and sensitive personal information.
The case now involves multiple parties, including publicists, film producers, and even a social media consultant from Texas. Each side accuses the other of defamation, breach of contract, and other misdeeds. Legal experts note that this complex web of lawsuits reflects a deep division within the entertainment industry, where personal grievances quickly turn into large-scale legal disputes.
Ongoing Dispute
The latest suit against Stephanie Jones marks the sixth legal action in a series of lawsuits involving Baldoni and Blake Lively. Lawyers on both sides have presented evidence that they say proves malicious behavior and breaches of trust. For instance, Jones’ attorney defended her actions by saying that the leaked texts were supported by solid evidence and were not subject to dispute. In response, Baldoni’s legal team has vowed to continue fighting to clear his name and to secure compensation for damages they say were caused by the leak.
The legal drama continues to draw attention from the media and the public. With more lawsuits and legal maneuvers being announced, the dispute shows no signs of settling soon. The various parties involved have made public statements that emphasize their commitment to resolving the issues through the courts.
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