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Jay Z Wants Lawyer Fined Over Lawsuit Accusing Him and Diddy of Rape
- Jay-Z is seeking sanctions over a “Jane Doe” lawsuit that accuses him and Diddy of rape.
- He wants the case dismissed and the Doe’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, to pay a cash fine.
- The lawsuit alleges Jay-Z and Diddy raped the 13-year-old Doe after the 2000 VMA awards.
Rapper Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter is fighting back against a lawsuit that alleges he and Sean “Diddy” Combs raped a 13-year-old girl during a Video Music Awards after-party in 2000.
In a legal filing Wednesday, the music entrepreneur asks a federal judge in Manhattan to dismiss the lawsuit and order monetary sanctions against Tony Buzbee, the Texas attorney who sued over the alleged incident in October.
The rape claim suffers from “substantial inaccuracies” which should have led Buzbee to drop the lawsuit, Carter’s filing says.
Those include woman’s father telling NBC News he had no memory of picking his distraught young daughter up from the after-party and driving her home as described in the lawsuit.
“It strains credulity,” Carter’s filing says, “that a father — impelled to jump into his car in the middle of the night to undertake a minimum 10-hour round trip to pick up his 13-year-old daughter at a random gas station—would forget the entire episode.”
Buzbee has also been unable to explain why the Alabama woman who filed the suit, now in her late-30s, told NBC News in December that she had a conversation at the after-party with rapper Benji Madden, whose distinctive “The Last Supper” tattoo she described to the network. Madden later told NBC that he was touring the Midwest during the VMAs that year.
Combs and Carter have both denied the sexual assault.
“A single, initial media interview turned up glaring problems that counsel had either ignored or never investigated,” Wednesday’s Carter filing, drafted by Manhattan attorney Alex Spiro, complains.
In court filings, Buzbee has dismissed both inconsistencies as unsurprising memory lapses.
“Calling this a ‘memory lapse’ cannot obscure counsel’s lapses in investigating whether multi-decade-old recollections aligned with reality,” Carter’s filing says.
“These factual discrepancies are neither isolated nor surprising. They result from Mr. Buzbee’s rush to launch allegations unhindered by mandatory diligence,” the filing says, asking the judge assigned to the lawsuit to impose unspecified cash damages and drop the lawsuit.
Reached for comment Wednesday night, Buzbee said, “With every frantic filing the defense in this case grows more desperate. The rules apply equally to everyone, even those who wrongly think they are above the law. No one is above the law.”
The original lawsuit was brought against Combs, his companies, and unnamed accomplices, including “Celebrity A.” Carter was identified as Celebrity A when the suit was amended December.
Since then, Buzbee and Carter have traded barbs in public statements and court documents, including a previous filing by the rapper seeking dismissal and sanctions. Two weeks after Carter was named as “Celebrity A” in the revised lawsuit, Buzbee filed a new lawsuit accusing Carter’s Roc Nation of trying to intimidate his law firm and turn his plaintiffs against him.
“This conduct was specifically targeted at our firm so we would not pursue cases related to the Diddy litigation,” Buzbee said at the time in a statement to Business Insider. “But, we will not be bullied or intimidated.”
Jay Z filed a motion in court requesting for the lawyer representing the woman accusing him and Diddy of rape to be fined for filing a frivolous lawsuit. The lawsuit, which alleges that Jay Z and Diddy drugged and sexually assaulted the woman, has been vehemently denied by both artists.In the court documents, Jay Z’s legal team argues that the lawsuit is baseless and lacks any credible evidence to support the claims made by the woman. They go on to accuse the lawyer of filing the lawsuit as a publicity stunt and an attempt to tarnish the reputations of both Jay Z and Diddy.
The motion for the lawyer to be fined comes as a response to what Jay Z and Diddy’s legal team see as a blatant abuse of the legal system. They are seeking to hold the lawyer accountable for what they believe to be a malicious attempt to defame their clients.
As the legal battle continues, it remains to be seen whether the court will grant Jay Z’s motion for the lawyer to be fined. In the meantime, both Jay Z and Diddy continue to maintain their innocence and refute the allegations made against them.
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Jay Z, Diddy, lawsuit, rape, lawyer, fine, legal action, celebrity, music industry, sexual assault, legal battle, court case, defamation, accusations, hip hop, legal consequences, justice, scandal
#Jay #Lawyer #Fined #Lawsuit #Accusing #Diddy #RapeJAY-Z’s Latest Retaliatory Attack Against Tony Buzbee For Rape Lawsuit Claims He “Got Basic Facts Wrong”
In a year where Diddy was public enemy No. 1 for his allegations, lawsuits, and eventual arrest, JAY-Z also found himself in the mix via a rape lawsuit filed in December 2024. The 55-year-old rapper has been hellbent on tearing down Tony Buzbee’s, the lawyer representing his alleged victim, credibility and he continued that this week.
Earlier in January, Hov attempted to get his case dismissed and he recently filed a memo to add some more details. HipHopDX obtained documents where the Brooklyn rapper and his attorney Alex Spiro claimed that Buzbee “got basic facts wrong” in the case.
Specifically, they say that the unnamed victim’s father confirmed that he had no recollection of the rape story playing out how she told it; Jane Doe originally said her father picked her up from a gas station, but he said the gas station in question would have been a 10-hour drive roundtrip. They also cited how she claimed she spoke with a celebrity that evening at the 2000 Video Music Awards, but said celebrity was not even in New York City at the time.
“Mr. Carter seeks only to hold Mr. Buzbee to the ethical standards that constrain any responsible attorney who would solemnly sign his name to allegations in court,” Alex Spiro wrote. He is arguing that Tony Buzbee should be held liable for either not doing his due diligence, or having proper information and still going through with a false claim.
Buzbee, however, claims that he ran a background check on Jane Doe and collaborated with a retired police detective to do thorough research on her. However, Spiro countered and said these claims were not enough. “[N]one of those individuals has even been named, let alone produced as a declarant,” he wrote. “Nor does the Opposition specify which ‘aspects’ of Plaintiff’s complaint were ‘fact-checked.’”
Buzbee remains confident in the case, telling HipHopDX: “With every frantic filing the defense in this case grows more desperate. The rules apply equally to everyone, even those who wrongly think they are above the law. No one is above the law. The ‘basic fact’ that is obvious to everyone is that the defendant’s motion is frivolous.”
JAY-Z was accused of raping a teenager alongside Diddy in 2000. She allegedly was transported to one of the Bad Boy founder’s after-parties by one of his limo drivers following the 2000 VMAs. Upon arrival, she signed what she believed to be an NDA and then allegedly had her drink spiked. She claims that the rappers then entered the room and Hov pinned her down and had sex with her while Puff and another celebrity watched.
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In a recent turn of events, JAY-Z has fired back at Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing the women accusing him of sexual assault, claiming that Buzbee has “got basic facts wrong” in his lawsuit against the rapper.In a statement released by JAY-Z’s legal team, they refuted Buzbee’s claims and stated that they are confident in their client’s innocence. The statement also accused Buzbee of using the lawsuit as a means of gaining publicity and tarnishing JAY-Z’s reputation.
This latest retaliatory attack comes after Buzbee filed a lawsuit on behalf of multiple women who allege that JAY-Z sexually assaulted them. The lawsuit has garnered significant media attention and has raised questions about the rapper’s behavior.
It remains to be seen how this legal battle will unfold, but one thing is for certain: JAY-Z is not backing down without a fight. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
Tags:
Jay-Z, Tony Buzbee, Rape Lawsuit, Retaliatory Attack, Basic Facts, Jay-Z Response, Legal Battle, Celebrity Lawsuits, Music Industry News
#JAYZs #Latest #Retaliatory #Attack #Tony #Buzbee #Rape #Lawsuit #Claims #Basic #Facts #WrongBlake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Will Move to Dismiss Justin Baldoni’s Lawsuit
Blake Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds told a federal judge Thursday that they will seek to dismiss Justin Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit.
Attorneys for the two sides are due in court Monday for the first hearing on the megafeud between the two “It Ends With Us” co-stars.
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Lively has accused Baldoni, who was also the film’s director, of sexually harassing her on set, and then retaliating with a smear campaign when she dared to speak up about it.
Baldoni and his publicists have countered that Lively defamed them by taking text messages out of context and mischaracterizing their interactions. Baldoni also alleges that Lively and Reynolds pressured WME to drop him as a client, which WME denies.
The couple’s attorneys filed the notice Thursday in compliance with Judge Lewis Liman’s order, which set out how the federal case will move forward. The judge asked for a letter that would “indicate in one sentence the Defendant’s intent to make a motion to dismiss.”
Liman will set a deadline later to actually file the motion.
“The Lively-Reynolds Parties intend to move to dismiss Plaintiffs’ complaint,” said Michael J. Gottlieb, following the judge’s instruction to keep it short and sweet.
Publicist Leslie Sloane, who was also named as a defendant in Baldoni’s suit, filed a similar notice on Wednesday.
The judge has said he expects to schedule a trial for March 2026, and asked the parties to file a plan that would allow for a trial by that date.
In a rare moment of agreement, attorneys on both sides have also indicated they have no objection to consolidating the two federal cases into one proceeding.
At the hearing on Monday, the two sides are expected to argue about the extrajudicial conduct of Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman. Lively’s lawyers have argued that Freedman is making prejudicial comments in the press, which they say taints the jury pool. Freedman has countered that he has every right to defend his client publicly from Lively’s media blitz.
On Thursday evening, Baldoni’s side said they want to take Lively’s deposition as soon as possible. But they told the judge that Lively’s lawyers have indicated that she will refuse to let Freedman do the deposition, due to “unspecified statements made by Mr. Freedman.”
“We are unaware of any situation that would warrant the deposed party to have a choice in which attorney takes her deposition,” wrote Kevin Fritz, another Baldoni attorney. “Parties to litigation simply do not have the right to dictate which of their opponents’ attorneys may or may not take their deposition or perform any other aspect of the opposing party’s case.”
Fritz wants this issue to be addressed at the hearing on Monday.
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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are taking legal action against their close friend Justin Baldoni. The couple has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought against them by the actor and director, citing lack of merit and baseless claims.Baldoni, best known for his role in the hit TV show “Jane the Virgin,” alleges that Lively and Reynolds breached a business agreement they had with him regarding a joint venture. However, the power couple maintains that they never entered into any formal agreement with Baldoni and that his claims are unfounded.
In a statement released by their legal team, Lively and Reynolds expressed their disappointment in Baldoni’s decision to pursue legal action and stated that they have always valued their friendship with him. They are confident that the court will see through the frivolous nature of the lawsuit and rule in their favor.
The case is set to be heard in a Los Angeles court next month, where Lively and Reynolds will present their arguments for why the lawsuit should be dismissed. Fans of the couple are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the case and continue to show their support for Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.
Tags:
- Blake Lively
- Ryan Reynolds
- Justin Baldoni
- Lawsuit
- Dismissal
- Celebrity news
- Hollywood
- Legal battle
- Moving to dismiss
- Blake and Ryan news
#Blake #Lively #Ryan #Reynolds #Move #Dismiss #Justin #Baldonis #Lawsuit
Did Sable Leave Brock Lesnar Following Allegations of Being Involved in Vince McMahon-Janel Grant S*x Trafficking Lawsuit? | WWE News
Sable has been married to Brock Lesnar for many years now. However, she has not made any statement in regard to her husband allegedly being involved in the high-profile Janel Grant and Vince McMahon sex trafficking case.
Brock Lesnar was a top fixture for WWE television programming for many years. However, the fans have not seen The Beast Incarnate since the 2023 SummerSlam event, where he was defeated by Cody Rhodes. This was due to Lesnar being allegedly involved in the lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant against Vince McMahon and John Laurinitus on the charges of sex trafficking and sexual misconduct.
WWE has also distanced themselves from Brock Lesnar taking him off television for more than a year and removing major references of him. Amidst the entire scandal, all attention has been paid to Vince McMahon and Janel Grant. None has paid attention to the effect that could have had on Lesnar’s family, especially on his relationship with his wife, former WWE superstar Sable.
After all, Lesnar was alleged to have signed a WWE contract in 2021 offered by Vince McMahon, who shared explicit photos of Janel Grant and even reported engaging in sexual acts with her as part of the deal. This has left many wondering about the fact that it had strained his relationship with his wife, who has been out of the limelight for years.Has Sable left Brock Lesnar following allegations in the Vince McMahon-Janel Grant scandal?
As of this date, there have been no reports of Brock Lesnar and Sable splitting up. In fact, they still seem to be leading a happy life. The former WWE Champion and Women’s Champion were spotted together backstage at a concert together in December 2024.
This would mean that the couple is still very much together, as the allegations against Lesnar came to light last year. Moreover, this was also Sable’s first public appearance after being away from the spotlight and WWE for years.
Brock Lesnar & Sable have been married for a long time
Before Sable met Brock Lesnar in WWE, she was married to former wrestler Marc Mero. The couple were together for ten years. However, Sable became involved in an extra-martial affair with Lesnar around the early 2000s. Sable divorced Marc Mero in 2004 and married the former UFC Heavyweight Champion in 2006.
With Brock Lesnar and Sable still being together after their photo surfaced on social media, it remains to be seen either of them would be responding to the allegations made against Lesnar in the Vince McMahon-Janel Grant case.
Also read: Sable’s Relationship History: Exploring Past Marriages of the Former WWE Women’s Champion
There have been rumors circulating in the wrestling world that Sable may have left her husband, Brock Lesnar, following allegations of her involvement in a s*x trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon and Janel Grant.The lawsuit alleges that McMahon and Grant were involved in a s*x trafficking ring that exploited young women in the wrestling industry. Sable’s name was brought up in connection to the lawsuit, causing speculation that she may have been involved in the illegal activities.
While there has been no concrete evidence to support these claims, fans have been buzzing about the possibility of Sable leaving Lesnar amidst the controversy. The couple has always been private about their personal lives, so it’s unclear if there is any truth to these rumors.
As of now, neither Sable nor Lesnar have made any public statements addressing the allegations or their relationship status. Until more information comes to light, the wrestling world will continue to speculate about the future of this power couple. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
Tags:
- Sable
- Brock Lesnar
- Vince McMahon
- Janel Grant
- S*x trafficking lawsuit
- WWE news
- Did Sable leave Brock Lesnar
- Allegations
- Wrestling rumors
- Celebrity gossip
#Sable #Leave #Brock #Lesnar #Allegations #Involved #Vince #McMahonJanel #Grant #Trafficking #Lawsuit #WWE #News
Call of Duty Ban Lawsuit
How much effort is a Call of Duty account worth? According to player b00lin, at least two years of legal wrangling. The victim detailed his experience in his blog, waging a legal war against Activision that deserves a spot in the courtroom drama hall of fame alongside A Few Good Men and The Verdict.
The player was a victim of a wrongful cheating ban during the early playtest of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. This sensational story cautions against treating automated banning as foolproof.
RelatedDelta Force Bans 1729 Cheaters In A Week After Invasive Anti-Cheat Backlash
The cheater horde persists, despite that.
In 2022, b00lin was 36.2 hours into the Steam beta when he received a ban notification. Upon inquiring, Activision said his “account has been permanently banned for using unauthorized software and manipulation of game data”, and said the ban would not be overturned.
Further attempts to contact Activision through its ticket system, phone lines, and even LinkedIn contacts did not give any results. Those who did talk to b00lin refused to provide proof of him using unauthorized software citing security concerns, as cheat developers could ostensibly use the information to improve their product.
Bravo Six, Going Legal
After Activision proved uncooperative, b00lin moved things to the legal system. His first step was a Money Claim Online submission, a UK government service that streamlines small claims. The publisher was a no-show, which awarded b00lin a full refund plus claim fees.
Despite paying the player, Activision still refused to overturn the ban. According to b00lin, “the courts did not order them to do so”.
The next step in this thrilling legal saga was to file a non-money claim requesting the account suspension to be removed. Activision handed off the case to a legal firm, and despite reaching a tentative agreement with them that required b00lin to pay court fees and sign an NDA in exchange for getting unbanned, the publisher shut that down. The case would go to court.
RelatedCall of Duty: Black Ops 6 Anti-Cheat Did Not Meet Activision’s Expectations in Season 1
Activision has been trying to combat cheating in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
To make his case in front of the judge, b00lin presented a dossier showing his clean record over thousands of hours of competitive games like Counter-Strike 2 and made it clear he did not want money or anything to do with Activision. His demands are the same as when it all began: lift the account ban, and move on.
In a puzzling turn, Activision did not present its defense team with any materials that could prove or even point towards b00lin using unauthorized software.
Given that Activision did not present any evidence to support its case, the judge awarded the case to b00lin and found the publisher to have violated the contract.
Activision had to pay £711 (approximately $881) in costs, and b00lin got his account back on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Modern Warfare 3, and Warzone. The two-year legal odyssey was over, and justice prevailed.
NextVeteran Call of Duty Multiplayer Director Quits After 15 Years
The old-timer has been involved in making key multiplayer decisions that shaped the game’s trajectory.
Systems
- Released
- October 28, 2022
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs
In a recent development, a lawsuit has been filed against the makers of the popular video game franchise Call of Duty. The lawsuit alleges that the game promotes violence and has a negative impact on society, particularly on young players.The plaintiffs in the lawsuit argue that the game should be banned or heavily restricted due to its graphic content and realistic depictions of war and violence. They claim that playing Call of Duty can desensitize players to real-life violence and may contribute to aggressive behavior.
On the other hand, supporters of the game argue that it is just a form of entertainment and that there is no direct link between playing violent video games and real-life violence. They believe that banning or restricting Call of Duty would infringe on freedom of speech and expression.
This lawsuit has sparked a heated debate among gamers, parents, and policymakers. It raises important questions about the impact of video games on society and the role of government in regulating them.
What are your thoughts on this lawsuit? Do you think Call of Duty should be banned or restricted? Share your opinions in the comments below.
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- Call of Duty ban lawsuit
- Video game ban lawsuit
- Activision lawsuit
- Gaming industry lawsuit
- Legal battle in gaming
- Call of Duty controversy
- Lawsuit against Call of Duty
- Gaming ban legal case
- Activision legal dispute
- Video game industry lawsuit
#Call #Duty #Ban #Lawsuit
CMS withdraws appeal of UnitedHealth’s star ratings lawsuit
Photo: Pichsakul Promrungsee EyeEm/Getty Images
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has withdrawn its appeal of a district court ruling that determined the agency must recalculate Medicare Advantage Star Ratings for UnitedHealthcare.
CMS had originally signaled its intent to file an appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court in Texas, but CMS has withdrawn its notice of appeal without providing an explanation for the change.
The agency had been appealing the November 22, 2024 order mandating CMS recalculate the MA 2025 star ratings without consideration of a secret shopper call used to determine UnitedHealth’s score.
WHAT’S THE IMPACT?
UnitedHealth won its case over lowered star ratings in October 2024 when the court ruled as unlawful CMS’s decision to include the disputed call in the 2024 Call Center Monitoring Performance Metrics for Accuracy and Accessibility Study.
UnitedHealthcare claimed that its ratings were lowered on the basis of that one phone call. A 4-star rating, rather than a 5-star rating, on this single metric, would cause them substantial losses, both financially and in the number of members signing up for plans, according to UnitedHealthcare.
The court granted in part UnitedHealth’s motion for summary judgment and denied in part its cross motion for summary judgment.
A lower star rating could lead to fewer enrollments and potentially reduce the insurer’s bonuses and payments from CMS.
Other insurers have also sued CMS over lower star rating scores. In November, Elevance sued after winning a lawsuit in June 2024 over star ratings calculations. Centene, which also sued over the call measure, said CMS held a single call against the company – one that never reached its call center. Humana also filed a lawsuit over the calculation of cut points that determine the number of stars.
THE LARGER TREND
With Medicare Advantage plans playing a central role in UnitedHealthcare’s portfolio, any change to star ratings could affect its profitability. Lower ratings may result in fewer enrollments, reduced bonuses and even customer attrition as beneficiaries look for higher-rated plans.
Last December, UnitedHealthcare set its 2024 MA enrollment predictions for less than 8.1 million this year, below market forecasts. But in its Investor Conference report, UnitedHealth said it expected its Medicare Advantage business to grow.
Medicare Advantage is serving an increasingly diverse, lower-income and clinically complex population, the company said. Seniors with chronic conditions are more likely to choose Medicare Advantage, and more than half of Medicare Advantage members have an annual income of less than $25,000. Medicare Advantage enrollment among minority populations has more than doubled since 2013, and now makes up more than 30% of Medicare Advantage membership.
Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has decided to withdraw its appeal of UnitedHealth’s star ratings lawsuit. This comes after a federal judge ruled in favor of UnitedHealth, finding that the insurer had been unfairly penalized by CMS for discrepancies in its prescription drug coverage data.The lawsuit, filed by UnitedHealth in 2017, claimed that CMS had unfairly lowered the star ratings for its Medicare Advantage plans based on inaccurate information. UnitedHealth argued that the data used by CMS to calculate the ratings was flawed and did not accurately reflect the quality of care provided by its plans.
In his ruling, the judge agreed with UnitedHealth and ordered CMS to recalculate the star ratings for the affected plans. CMS initially appealed the decision, but has now decided to withdraw its appeal, signaling a victory for UnitedHealth.
This decision is seen as a significant win for UnitedHealth and other insurers who have been critical of the star ratings system. It also highlights the need for more accurate and reliable data to be used in determining the quality of care provided by Medicare Advantage plans.
Overall, this development is a positive step towards ensuring that Medicare Advantage plans are fairly and accurately assessed, ultimately benefiting both insurers and beneficiaries.
Tags:
- CMS star ratings lawsuit
- UnitedHealth lawsuit update
- CMS legal news
- UnitedHealth star ratings case
- Healthcare litigation update
- CMS legal update
- UnitedHealth legal battle
- Star ratings lawsuit latest
- Healthcare industry news
- UnitedHealth legal dispute
#CMS #withdraws #appeal #UnitedHealths #star #ratings #lawsuit
CMS communications freeze, Cole Schmidtknecht lawsuit
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Trump’s CMS freeze
President Trump has put all the federal health agencies on ice until his administration staffs up. One of those agencies that shouldn’t get lost in the mix: the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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In light of the recent lawsuit filed by Cole Schmidtknecht, a communications freeze has been implemented within the CMS (Central Management Services) department. This legal action has brought attention to potential issues within the organization, leading to a temporary halt on all internal and external communications.The lawsuit alleges misconduct and negligence within CMS, including claims of discrimination and wrongful termination. As a result, the department is taking necessary precautions to prevent any further damage to its reputation and legal standing.
While this communications freeze may cause some disruptions in daily operations, it is imperative for CMS to address these allegations and ensure a fair and thorough investigation is conducted. The organization is committed to transparency and accountability, and will provide updates on the situation as they become available.
In the meantime, employees are advised to refrain from discussing the lawsuit or related matters with anyone outside of the organization. Any inquiries should be directed to the CMS legal team for further guidance.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding during this challenging time. Rest assured, CMS is dedicated to resolving this matter swiftly and fairly for all parties involved.
Tags:
CMS communications freeze, Cole Schmidtknecht lawsuit, healthcare communication, legal dispute, CMS regulations, healthcare compliance, legal action, healthcare industry news, communication restrictions, Cole Schmidtknecht case.
#CMS #communications #freeze #Cole #Schmidtknecht #lawsuitBlake Lively and Justin Baldoni get March 2026 trial date for her ‘It Ends With Us’ lawsuit
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York judge set a March 2026 trial date on Monday and moved an initial conference from mid-February to next week as the public feud between Blake Lively and her “It Ends With Us” costar and director Justin Baldoni continued to grow and accelerate.
And in a new and separate front in the series of legal battles surrounding the film that became a surprise hit last summer, Lively in a Texas court filed a request for a deposition of a man she says was central to turning online sentiment against her during its release and promotion.
The New York federal judge, Lewis J. Liman, told both sides in an order late Monday to prepare for a March 9, 2026, trial.
He also moved an initial conference from mid-February to next week and told lawyers to be prepared to address complaints about pretrial publicity and attorney conduct.
Liman took the actions after Lively’s lawyers claimed in a filing on Monday that an attorney for Baldoni was trying to taint potential jurors over lawsuits the actors have filed against each other.
The lawyers said Baldoni’s attorney was trying to wreck Lively’s career and turn potential New York jurors against her by creating a website to release selected documents and communications between Lively and Baldoni.
The lawyers said attorney Bryan Freedman, representing Baldoni, was “engaging in this extrajudicial campaign to influence these proceedings and the public perception of legal filings to this Court, and there already is a serious risk that his misconduct is tainting the jury pool.”
They added: “The endless stream of defamatory and extrajudicial media statements must end.”
Freedman said in a statement in response to Monday’s assertions that the “irony is not lost on anyone that Ms. Lively is so petrified of the truth that she has moved to gag it.”
“We will always respect the court; however, we will never be bullied by those suggesting we cannot defend our clients with pure, unedited facts,” the lawyer said. “All we want is for people to see the actual text messages that directly contradict her allegations, video footage that clearly shows there was no sexual harassment and all the other powerful evidence that directly contradicts any false allegations.”
In a letter to the judge on Thursday, Baldoni attorney Kevin Fritz accused Lively of a publicity campaign that left Baldoni and other defendants the “objects of public scorn and contempt.”
He said the actions had damaged those she sued so that they were “exiled from polite society and suffered damages totaling hundreds of millions of dollars due to Ms. Lively’s scorched-earth media campaign.”
In the separate filing in Hays County, Texas, a precursor to another potential lawsuit, Lively asks for an order for a deposition from Jed Wallace, a crisis management specialist she alleges was behind much of the social media manipulation surrounding the film that turned public sentiment against her through posts on Reddit and TikTok.
Wallace and his Texas-based firm Street Relations were brought on as subcontractors by publicists working with Baldoni and his production company, the filing said.
“He weaponized a digital army around the country, including in New York and Los Angeles, to create, seed, manipulate, and advance disparaging content that appeared to be authentic on social media platforms and internet chat forums,” the filing alleges.
Wallace is identified in Lively’s federal lawsuit, but he is not a defendant.
Freedman, who the filing says is Wallace’s lawyer, did not respond to a request for comment on the issue.
Lively sued Baldoni, his production company and others in New York in late December for sexual harassment and attacks on her reputation and asked for unspecified damages. Baldoni sued earlier this month, accusing Lively and her husband, “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds, of defamation and extortion and seeking at least $400 million in damages.
The judge said Monday that he’ll likely combine the lawsuits for trial.
“It Ends With Us,” an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2016 novel that begins as a romance but takes a dark turn into domestic violence, was released in August, exceeding box office expectations with a $50 million debut. But the movie’s release was shrouded by speculation over discord between Lively and Baldoni.
Lively came to fame through the 2005 film “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” and bolstered her stardom on the TV series “Gossip Girl” from 2007 to 2012. She has since starred in films including “The Town” and “The Shallows.”
Baldoni starred in the TV comedy “Jane the Virgin,” directed the 2019 film “Five Feet Apart” and wrote “Man Enough,” a book pushing back against traditional notions of masculinity.
___
AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton reported from Los Angeles.
Actress Blake Lively and actor Justin Baldoni have been given a March 2026 trial date for the lawsuit filed against them by author Colleen Hoover over their upcoming film adaptation of her book “It Ends With Us.”Hoover alleges that Lively and Baldoni’s production company did not properly obtain the rights to adapt her book and that they have infringed on her copyright. The lawsuit has been ongoing for several years, with both parties unable to reach a settlement.
Lively and Baldoni have denied the allegations, stating that they followed all necessary legal procedures and obtained the rights to adapt the book. They are both looking forward to the trial in March 2026 to finally put the matter to rest.
Fans of the book are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the trial, hoping for a fair resolution that respects Hoover’s work while also allowing Lively and Baldoni to bring their vision of the story to the screen. Stay tuned for updates on this developing legal battle.
Tags:
Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, March 2026 trial date, It Ends With Us lawsuit, celebrity news, legal updates, Hollywood lawsuit, entertainment industry, court proceedings, celebrity court cases
#Blake #Lively #Justin #Baldoni #March #trial #date #Ends #lawsuitFederal employee lawsuit alleges security, privacy risks in new OPM communications system
Federal employees have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s Office of Personnel Management, after the agency created and began testing an email system meant to deliver mass communications directly to federal employees’ inboxes.
The lawsuit from two anonymous federal employees in the executive branch alleges OPM violated the 2002 E-Government Act by not releasing details of how the communication system will manage federal employees’ personal information stored in the system.
Kel McClanahan, executive director of the National Security Counselors law firm, filed the pro bono lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs, alleging that the email system poses security risks for federal employees’ personal information.
“A one-stop shop for information about every government employee in the federal executive branch is just a treasure trove for hackers, or even just curiosity seekers,” McClanahan said in an interview.
The 2002 E-Government Act requires agencies to complete a “privacy impact assessment” for any new online federal system by analyzing how personally identifiable information will be collected, stored, protected, shared and managed within that system. Agencies are required to make the assessment public unless it would raise concerns with national security or reveal classified information.
“People have a right to know where their information is being stored by the government and how well it’s being protected,” McClanahan said.
OPM first announced the testing of its new mass communications system last week. In the following days, some federal employees said they received test emails from OPM asking them to reply “yes” to confirm whether they received the message.
“OPM is testing a new capability allowing it to send important communications to ALL civilian federal employees from a single email address,” the agency wrote in a Jan. 23 announcement. “Testing of this messaging system functionality is expected as soon as this week.”
The purpose of OPM’s mass communications system is unclear, but federal employees in the lawsuit pointed to the possibility of OPM using the communication method to send updates about reductions in force (RIFs). OPM declined to comment on both the lawsuit and the intentions of the new mass communication system.
Regardless of the purpose for the messaging system, McClanahan said the data security of federal employees’ personal information is the central point of the Jan. 27 complaint.
“We have no idea what this system is. We have no idea what the nature of the system is. All we know is that by OPM’s own language, it is a new distribution and response system,” McClanahan said. “If they’re going to set up a new system to do something that’s going to collect all this information, they have to ensure that it’s secure, and they have to ensure that people know that it’s secure — but they haven’t done any of that.”
Several federal agencies have also reportedly sent messages to their employees about OPM’s communications system, according to the lawsuit. For example, the lawsuit states that on Jan. 23, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security emailed employees to make them aware of the OPM email tests, and that the emails “can be considered trusted.”
The lawsuit, however, alleges that the communications are not being sent securely due to how quickly OPM began sending out the messages.
“Secure communications take time and coordination to plan and implement,” the lawsuit states. “Standard email is not encrypted, and it is common practice among hackers — including hackers affiliated with hostile foreign services — to begin attempting to access a new U.S. government device as soon as they learn of its deployment.”
The plaintiffs also pointed to the 2015 OPM data breach, which put personal data of roughly 22 million current and former federal employees at risk.
The lawsuit additionally references a recent Reddit post from an account claiming to be a long-time career federal employee at OPM. The employee stated that former OPM CIO Melvin Brown “was pushed aside just one week into his tenure because he refused to setup email lists to send out direct communications to all career civil servants.”
The Reddit poster additionally stated that agencies are being directed to send lists of federal employees to OPM Chief of Staff Amanda Scales, a former employee at xAI, which is owned by billionaire Elon Musk. Musk is also a leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, which is facing its own series of legal action.
In the Jan. 27 complaint against OPM, the plaintiffs are seeking to file the lawsuit as a class action lawsuit. They are calling for OPM to promptly conduct a privacy impact assessment for the new communications system.
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In a recent federal employee lawsuit, concerns have been raised about the security and privacy risks associated with a new communications system implemented by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The lawsuit alleges that the new system leaves sensitive employee information vulnerable to hacking and unauthorized access.The OPM, which oversees the federal government’s human resources and personnel data, rolled out the new communications system in an effort to streamline operations and improve efficiency. However, employees have expressed concerns about the system’s lack of encryption and other security measures, which could potentially expose sensitive personal and financial information to cyber threats.
The lawsuit highlights the importance of robust security measures in all government communications systems, particularly those handling sensitive employee data. As federal employees continue to work remotely and rely on digital platforms to carry out their duties, it is crucial that agencies prioritize cybersecurity and data protection to safeguard against potential breaches and privacy violations.
The outcome of the lawsuit remains to be seen, but it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges and risks associated with modernizing government communications systems. As technology continues to evolve, it is imperative that agencies prioritize security and privacy to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their employees and the integrity of sensitive data.
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- Federal employee lawsuit
- OPM communications system
- Security risks
- Privacy risks
- Lawsuit allegations
- Federal government data breach
- OPM security breach
- Employee privacy concerns
- Government communication system lawsuit
- Legal action against OPM
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Assault lawsuit: 50 Cent accused of directing entourage to hit photographer with SUV door; rapper breaks SNS silence
50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson, is facing legal trouble after allegedly ordering someone to hit a photographer with an SUV door. A man named Guadalupe De Los Santos is pursuing legal action against the rapper for purportedly knocking him from his electric scooter, according to a new lawsuit TMZ reported. It was filed publicly in LA Superior Court Monday afternoon.
Gloria Allred, as seen in this old picture 50 Cent shared on Instagram, is repping the photographer suing the rapper. (Instagram) 50 Cent sued for assault
The assault lawsuit documents claim that the incident took place on September 11, 2024, when Santos went to the “In Da Club” rapper’s book signing at September at The Grove in Los Angeles to shoot his video. After the event wrapped up and the man was on his way back, 50 Cent’s car pulled up next to him down a nearby street. As the vehicles stopped at a red light, the front passenger door of Cent’s car flung open out of nowhere, forcefully hitting the plaintiff on his left side and knocking him off the scooter.
Santos has accused 50 Cent of purposely directing someone to act on his behalf. The assault suit also claims that there was no reason for the door to open at the spot, other than to presumably hurt him. The photog, who is the plaintiff in the case, said that he ultimately fell to the pavement, incurring bodily injuries. His scooter is also believed to have been severely damaged to the point it’s no longer inoperable.
50 Cent breaks social media silence after being hit with the lawsuit:
About attorney Gloria Allred who is backing the accuser against 50 Cent
Soon after the lawsuit came to light, 50 Cent took to his Instagram to share an old photo with attorney Gloria Allred, who is now backing the plaintiff in this case. Curtis Jackson took a dig at the lawyer, who’s often been at the centre of high-profile and controversial legal tussles, as he captioned the post: “The moment I realised I don’t like lawyers, Gloria you should know better, chase a different ambulance. @bransoncognac @lecheminduroi.”
The acclaimed New York-based women’s rights attorney also represented Thalia Graves against Sean “Diddy” Combs. Her cases often involve sexual abuse by celebrities, dating back to her support for three of the eight women who accused Harvey Weinstein of assault. She also took up legal arms against disgraced filmmaker Roman Polanski, actor Bill Cosby, and rapper R Kelly. In another recent legal battle, Allred repped the late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins‘ parents and sister against actor Alec Baldwin (Rust movie set shooting).
Also read | Kanye West insists on billionaire status despite reports of hefty tax penalties and bankruptcy admission
The accuser, going after the rapper for damages, also asserted that his injuries have hindered his professional track, resulting in him losing out on earnings while the medical bills continue mounting.
50 Cent’s lawyer responds
In response to the suit, an attorney behind the rapper issued the statement: “Mr Jackson has neither been served with or seen a filed copy of a lawsuit filed by Ms Allred’s firm. However, if and when such a frivolous claim is filed and served, rest assured that Mr Jackson’s legal team will swiftly move to dismiss the matter and seek the maximum costs, fees, sanctions and other remedies that are available under law.”
“Based upon the leaked reports presumably by Ms Allred, Mr Jackson is not alleged to be the driver of the vehicle or even the individual who the Plaintiff paparazzi alleges opened the door as he charged a vehicle as it drove away from the bookstore,” per TMZ.
In a shocking turn of events, rapper 50 Cent has been accused of directing his entourage to physically assault a photographer by hitting him with an SUV door. The incident allegedly took place outside a popular nightclub in Los Angeles, where the photographer was trying to capture images of the rapper.The photographer, who has since filed a lawsuit against 50 Cent, claims that the rapper was unhappy with the photos being taken and instructed his entourage to take action. The photographer was reportedly struck by the SUV door, resulting in injuries that required medical attention.
This lawsuit comes as a surprise to many, as 50 Cent has not been involved in any legal disputes of this nature in recent years. The rapper, known for his brash and outspoken personality, has remained silent on social media since news of the lawsuit broke.
It remains to be seen how this legal battle will unfold and what consequences, if any, 50 Cent may face as a result of these allegations. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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Assault lawsuit, 50 Cent, photographer, SUV door, entourage, lawsuit, rapper, SNS, silence, accusation
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