Federal Judge Lewis J. Liman authorized the actor and producer to access messages between Lively and the singer, provided that they are related to the film Break the circle (It Ends with Us) or with the ongoing legal battle between both sectors.
The order occurs after Lively’s defense tried to prevent Baldoni access to private communications between the actress and her close friend, claiming that they were “irrelevant” for the case.
The judge did not agree, according to documents obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Liman considered that the conversations are “reasonably important”, because Lively identified Swift as a person who “would probably have knowledge of complaints or discussions about the work environment during filming.”
“The request of the messages with Swift regarding the film and this process is reasonably justified, to discover information that can prove or refute the accusations of harassment and reprisals of Lively,” the judge wrote in his decision.
After this action, Lively’s legal representatives accused Baldoni of using Swift’s fame as a distraction of the true reason for the trial.
In statements collected by People, A Lively spokesman said, “we will continue to denounce the implacable efforts of Baldoni for exploiting the popularity of Mrs. Swift, which since the first day has been nothing more than a distraction of the serious accusations of sexual harassment and reprisals facing him and Wayfarer.”
Besides, The defense said Swift is no longer legally involved directly. The singer had been formally cited in May by Baldoni’s lawyers, but the citation was subsequently withdrawn.
When the singer -songwriter was summoned, a spokesman argued that she never visited the set or had important decisions in the tape.
“He did not participate in any casting or creative decisions, he did not compose the music of the film, he saw no cut or suggestions, he did not even see the film until weeks after its premiere.”
It is worth mentioning that Swift did not have an active role in the production of IT Ends With Us, but granted the license of one of his songs, My Tears Riochet, for the soundtrack.
