Latest news with #sexualharassment
Fox News
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Justin Timberlake Diagnosed With Lyme Disease
Blake Lively began her deposition in New York today, addressing her sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni. Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre's family is urging Trump not to pardon Ghislaine Maxwell, questioning his ties to Epstein. Justin Timberlake revealed he's battling Lyme disease, joining other stars who've faced the illness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Smoking gun video that could blow hole in Blake Lively's case against Justin Baldoni as she's deposed TODAY
As Blake Lively prepares for her showdown with Justin Baldoni 's lawyers today experts are saying his team will focus on 'weaknesses' in her accusations - with a video obtained by Daily Mail likely to be their star exhibit. The It Ends With US actress is set to undergo her deposition today, with Baldoni's legal team expected to do a 'deep dive' into all of her claims. Lively, 37, has already hit a succession of snags in trying to prove her $250million suit against her former co-star, with several of her claims already being thrown out. But experts are now claiming that footage exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail in January could be the latest blow to the actress. The mother-of-four had claimed Baldoni, 41, was able to nuzzle her neck and comment on the way she smelled without anyone else on set hearing because their microphones were switched off. But the footage seemed to prove the opposite: not only were the microphones on, but the pair had spent most of the scene happily chatting about their respective spouses. Employment and defamation law attorney Camron Dowlatshahi told Fox News Digital: 'Baldoni's team wants to get admissions from her about the weaknesses in her case and information to support Baldoni's defenses. It was one of the biggest bombshells in a lawsuit packed full of them – that Justin Baldoni sexually harassed Blake Lively while filming a dance scene by dragging his lips down her neck and telling her 'it smells so good'. In the latest filing, Justin alleged that Blake got one of her famous pals involved after he told her that he wasn't sure he would use some of the changes she had made to the movie 'For example, they will likely do a deep dive into the videos of her joking and flirting with Baldoni and get her to admit that she was doing so, instead of purportedly feeling uncomfortable, as her representation has claimed.' Anything Lively says during her deposition 'can and will be used against her,' Dowlatshahi emphasized. 'Each of their interactions will be analyzed and questioned, and any misstatement by Lively can and will be used against her. 'I expect there to be multiple deposition sessions as well and for the Baldoni team to move for additional sessions. So, this will likely be the first of potentially a few depositions.' The tapes show how friendly the two stars were before it all went so wrong. They laugh and joke around – even joshing about the size of Baldoni's nose and talk about how they spend their time with their spouses. They include a complete record of the conversation in question at around the seven-minute mark that makes clear the comment about her smelling so good was in response to Lively talking about her spray tan as they film a romantic dance. Baldoni tells Lively he's probably getting his beard on her and she saying she's probably getting spray tan on him. Then he quips back 'it smells good' before both laugh and she tells him the scent actually comes from her body makeup. exclusive footage is the latest revelation in a lengthy saga that began with rumors of rancor behind the scenes of It Ends With Us when it was released last August. And while the montage does indeed show Baldoni nuzzling Lively's neck as part of the scene in which they play lovers, the conversation between them is all business with the pair spending most of it talking about lighting and their other halves. The clip, which is raw footage shot while filming It Ends With Us, comes complete with audio and was passed to by the actor's production company Wayfarer and his lawyer Bryan Freedman who has previously said Baldoni has 'nothing to hide'. Lively claimed total 'vindication' after a New York judge sensationally tossed the defamation part of Justin Baldoni's $400m countersuit against the actress and her husband Ryan Reynolds. But she is she still facing allegations of breach of contract and invasion of privacy in Baldoni's amended filing, she is also likely to find it an uphill battle to prove the claims in her own lawsuit. A New York judge last month tossed the actress's emotional distress claim after she refused to release her medical records to Baldoni's team. Then comes the fact Lively's claims Baldoni orchestrated a negative media campaign against her have also been called into question - thanks to her reliance on what his team have described as 'doctored' texts. The exchanges between publicists who work for Baldoni, Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, were taken proffered as evidence of a smear campaign. But legal documents filed by Baldoni claim that they had been edited to remove context and were incomplete records of the conversation. Lively laughs and says 'I'm probably getting spray tan on you' to which he replies 'it smells good' and they both laugh Lively filed a updated version of her complaint just hours before her deposition, with her lawyers appearing to be refocusing on getting Jed Wallace back into the case. A judge granted Wallace's request for dismissal on July 16th, but Lively's team is making a renewed effort to Baldoni's social media guru back into the case ahead of her deposition by claiming he was behind a 'social attack' plan. Lively's claims of a toxic work environment on set have also been called into question thanks to a voicemail note, also exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail. In that, a groveling Baldoni was heard apologizing for not immediately making the changes she had asked for in a scene – and heaping praise on the actress and their work together. Then comes the fact Lively's claims Baldoni orchestrated a negative media campaign against her have also been called into question - thanks to her reliance on what his team have described as 'doctored' texts. The exchanges between publicists who work for Baldoni, Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, were taken proffered as evidence of a smear campaign.
Fox News
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni 'flirting' video may be smoking gun in legal showdown: expert
Video of Blake Lively "flirting" and "joking" with Justin Baldoni on the set of "It Ends With Us" could take center stage at the actress's deposition Thursday. Baldoni's team will likely work to find "weaknesses" in Lively's accusations, multiple legal experts told Fox News Digital. Judge Lewis Liman ruled Lively's deposition could take place at an undisclosed location of her choosing. "Baldoni's team wants to get admissions from her about the weaknesses in her case and information to support Baldoni's defenses," employment and defamation law attorney Camron Dowlatshahi explained. "For example, they will likely do a deep dive into the videos of her joking and flirting with Baldoni and get her to admit that she was doing so, instead of purportedly feeling uncomfortable, as her representation has claimed." Anything Lively says during her deposition "can and will be used against her," Dowlatshahi emphasized. "Each of their interactions will be analyzed and questioned, and any misstatement by Lively can and will be used against her. I expect there to be multiple deposition sessions as well and for the Baldoni team to move for additional sessions. So, this will likely be the first of potentially a few depositions." WATCH: JUSTIN BALDONI RELEASED UNEDITED 'IT ENDS WITH US' FOOTAGE FEATURING BLAKE LIVELY In December, Lively detailed allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, intentional affliction of emotional distress, negligence and more against Baldoni and film producer Jamey Heath in a complaint first filed with the California Civil Rights department and later in federal court. Baldoni, in his own lawsuit filed in January, insisted Lively had "falsely" accused him in an attempt to repair her reputation after the fallout from the movie's press tour after the actress took control of the film. Baldoni's legal team claimed Lively had no evidence of a deliberate smear campaign and had instead worked to repair her reputation by accusing the actor and others of sexual harassment. Judge Liman dismissed Baldoni's lawsuit against Lively in June. Lively's deposition was originally scheduled for July 17, but the day before it was set to take place, it was rescheduled for July 31. Texas-based publicist Jed Wallace, who had been named in Lively's original lawsuit, was dismissed from the case by the judge "without prejudice" earlier this month, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital. Lively's legal team had claimed Wallace 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." Lively's legal team has also dropped subpoenas against three Youtubers: Kassidy O'Connell, McKenzie Folks and Lauren Neidigh, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital. The deposition in Lively's case against the actor is Baldoni's "one opportunity" to "lock in" the movie star's testimony, according to entertainment lawyer Tre Lovell. "This is Baldoni's one opportunity to ask Ms. Lively questions under oath, to lock in her testimony, get her to admit things that are helpful to his case and challenge testimony that helps her case. It's also an opportunity to get her to authenticate and lay a foundation for documents and information that Baldoni wishes to introduce at trial. Ms. Lively must be honest and tell the truth as her testimony is under oath. "Blake Lively may be able to offer information that is helpful to her case that has not yet been discovered. She also has the opportunity to better explain what happened during the filming that supports her claims for sexual harassment or retaliation. She can offer more specifics about Mr. Baldoni's conduct as well as identify other witnesses who may have information." Baldoni's legal team's focus will be on any "inconsistencies" between Lively's claims during the deposition and her actual lawsuit, former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani noted. "Depositions can generally reveal inconsistencies, create impeachment evidence for testimony at trial and uncover facts that support Baldoni's arguments in the lawsuit," Rahmani told Fox News Digital. "In this case specifically, Baldoni's lawyers want admissions from Lively about decision-making authority under their agreement and who has creative control or communications with third parties that may undermine her sexual harassment claims. Lively's text messages and prior statements may be used to attack her argument that Baldoni created a sexually charged workplace and hostile work environment." Experts told Fox News Digital Lively likely went through intense preparation by her own lawyers. "They will explain to her the typical objections lodged by the other side, such as privilege, vagueness, ambiguity and speculation and how those objections can cue her responses," Dowlatshahi said. "By the time she is placed under oath, she will have likely gone through hours of mock questioning from her lawyers. But even with all that preparation, the pressure from competent counsel can be difficult for any deponent." Lively's legal team would have prepared a mock deposition to teach the "Gossip Girl" star how to "answer questions narrowly" to avoid "volunteering unnecessary information." "The most important rule in depositions is to answer the question truthfully, but only the question and nothing more," Rahmani told Fox News Digital.
Fox News
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Dean Cain exposes sexual harassment that plagued him during 'Lois & Clark'
Dean Cain, this week, claimed that he once faced serious sexual harassment on the set of "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman." The 58-year-old, who played Superman in the 1990s series, told Variety: "I could have had the biggest sexual harassment lawsuit in Hollywood history." Cain didn't elaborate on the alleged harassment, but Variety reported that it took a toll on his relationship with his then-volleyball star girlfriend Gabrielle Reece. "There were always murmurs," Variety added of the harassment allegations, noting that the show ended abruptly after the fourth season on a cliffhanger when Cain was set to direct several episodes, which "evaporated." Cain added that "Lois & Clark" was quite risqué, but he loved working with co-star Teri Hatcher. "Teri Hatcher and I were making out all the time in beds, half clothes on, half off," he said of working with Hatcher, who played Lois Lane in the 1993 to 1997 series. "Teri was the best Lois Lane of all time, in my opinion," he added. "She just drove the show." Cain said, though, that he didn't mind being focused on as a sex symbol. "Any guy who tells you he feels bad being objectified, I mean, really? Come on," he said. "It's a wonderful compliment." The actor, who once had a brief foray into professional football before his acting days, said "Lois & Clark" was "more money than I had ever seen in my life." "My entire contract for the Buffalo Bills was equal to a couple episodes of 'Lois & Clark,'" he added. But the work week was exhausting, beginning at 6 a.m. on Monday and finishing at 7 a.m. on Saturday, he said. "We called it Fraturday!" Cain joked. "There was no time to work out, because they couldn't give me a workout clause, because then they'd have to for every other star and then it sets precedent for Warner Bros. That's why I haven't done a series since. It feels like suffocating. You feel claustrophobic." He also said he didn't get all the pay he deserved. "I didn't know enough back then about residuals," he explained, before alleging: "Warner Bros. buries the bodies deep and makes it look like it's lost money. There's no possible way. But I should have sued. "George Clooney did it. He sued on 'ER' and got a big payout for his participation. I was advised not to because 'You don't want to bite the hand that feeds you.'" Fox News Digital has reached out to Warner Brothers and Cain for comment.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Minnesota judge with 'explosive' temper faces probe after 'threatening to duct tape juvenile suspect'
A Minnesota judge is facing an internal probe for her allegedly explosive temper after she was accused of threatening to duct tape a juvenile suspect. Judge Jennifer Fischer's judgeship could be revoked after the Minnesota Board of Judicial Standards filed a formal complaint against her on July 23. According to the complaint, the board has received several complaints about the judge, including one in which she is accused of telling a juvenile suspect: 'Do you want me to get the duct tape out?' She is also accused in the complaint of claiming that another judge was secretly hiding an opioid addiction by saying she was taking migraine medication. It was also claimed that the judge called a public defender 'severely mentally ill' and spoke of sexually explicit topics with staff. Court staff told investigators that Fischer has 'erratic, explosive, and unpredictable behavior' that she displays inside the courtroom. The investigator concluded that Fischer's actions 'constituted sexual harassment.' Staff also told investigators that the judge had 'spoken about discontinuing use of prescribed medication for mental health issues in an effort to manage issues on her own,' the complaint stated. Fischer also recused herself from a hearing if a particular law or law office were involved in the cases, including Meeker County and Litchfield City Attorneys' Offices and public defender Carter Greiner, whom she had made complaints against. Fischer, who has been serving the eighth district since 2013, has denied the allegations against her. 'Judge Fischer has not failed to execute her duties and has not failed to cooperate,' she wrote in her response to the complaint. 'Judge Fischer has always served the people of the Eighth Judicial District with integrity, fairness and an unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law. 'Throughout her judicial career Judge Fischer has been guided by the principles of justice and the duty to protect and defend the constitution so that its protections are available to all people coming before her court.' She also defended her accusations that a judge had an opioid addiction, stating that she had a 'genuine concern' for her and 'engaged in appropriate and good faith action[s].' Fischer also said in her response that the sexual harassment claims against her were retaliation for speaking up about her own incident in 1996. '[She] has faced systemic retaliation since her appointment to the bench in 2013,' she wrote in her response. 'While Judge Fischer's offender in 1996 was allowed to rehabilitate and become Chief Judge in the 8th District, Judge Fischer is being asked to accept public reprimand or leave the bench entirely,' she wrote. She also revealed she has PTSD and had been ruled fit enough to serve the bench in September 2022. She also accused the chief judge of discriminating against her medical accommodations by changing her schedule in a manner that was 'disruptive to the whole district and outside the scope of her authority.' However, the complaint alleged that by taking herself off cases that had certain attorneys or county attorneys' offices Fischer significantly reduced her work. By early February, she was not presiding over any criminal cases, and by late April, she had no cases. 'Her duties consist of administrative duties, such as research and writing,' the complaint said. Fischer concluded by asking for the complaint to be dismissed.
