Justin Baldoni now sued by ex-publicist amid legal battle with It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively
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Justin Baldoni's former publicist has filed a lawsuit against him for breach of contract - amid his legal battle with his former co-star Blake Lively. Lively sued Baldoni last week, accusing him of sexually harassing her and fostering a toxic work environment on the set of their movie It Ends With Us, in which he both directed her and acted with her. He has staunchly denied the allegations.
![[Lively sued Baldoni last week, accusing him of sexually harassing her and fostering a toxic work environment on the set of their movie It Ends With Us]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/24/18/93382145-14224787-Justin_Baldoni_has_been_accused_of_entering_Blake_Lively_s_pictu-a-23_1735065026737.jpg)
In her complaint, Lively claimed Baldoni worked to tarnish her reputation with a team that included his publicist Jennifer Abel and crisis PR expert Melissa Nathan, who previously worked with Johnny Depp. Abel has denied waging a 'smear campaign.'. Now Baldoni, his company Wayfarer Studios, Nathan and Abel are all being sued by Abel's former boss Stephanie Jones, the head of Jonesworks PR.
![[In her complaint, Lively claimed Baldoni worked to tarnish her reputation with a team that included his publicist Jennifer Abel (pictured) and crisis PR expert Melissa Nathan]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/24/18/93452849-14224787-In_her_complaint_Lively_claimed_Baldoni_worked_to_tarnish_her_re-m-27_1735065209873.jpg)
Abel represented Baldoni while working for Jonesworks, but was allegedly fired last summer after Jones discovered she was 'stealing documents and client information' from the firm in aid of a plot to start a rival company, according to a copy of Jones' lawsuit obtained by the New York Times.
![[Now Baldoni, his company Wayfarer Studios, Nathan and Abel are all being sued by Abel's former boss Stephanie Jones (pictured), the head of Jonesworks PR]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/24/18/93463029-14224787-image-a-24_1735065051398.jpg)
Jones accuses Abel of conniving with Nathan 'to steal Baldoni and Wayfarer as clients from Jonesworks, and to smear Jones and Jonesworks in the press' - such as by blaming Jones for the alleged PR takedown of Lively. DailyMail.com has reached out to Jones and a representative for Baldoni for comment.
![[In the run-up to the movie's August 9 release, rumors began swirling of a rift between Lively and Baldoni, who are pictured in the movie]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/24/18/93383535-14224787-In_the_run_up_to_the_movie_s_August_9_release_rumors_began_swirl-m-26_1735065178793.jpg)
