Attorney Explains: Could Blake Lively Face Criminal Charges?

·1 hr 4 min·5 clips

An attorney explains whether Blake Lively's use of a shell company to obtain private texts could lead to criminal charges.

Zack Peter introduces the episode by framing the legal controversy around Blake Lively's shell company, Van Zandt, and its subpoena for private communications. He provides background on the feud between Lively and Justin Baldoni, stemming from the film adaptation of 'It Ends With Us' and a New York Times article. Attorney Daniel Faruzan joins to break down the legal intricacies. Faruzan explains that the subpoena, served under a lawsuit against unnamed 'John Does,' appears shady and potentially constitutes an abuse of process. He details how the subpoena obtained text messages from publicist Stephanie Jones, who had access to a company phone used by Jennifer Abel. The discussion covers the legal standards for subpoenas, including relevance and privacy protections. Faruzan compares it to a sexual harassment case he handled, where proper procedures were followed. The conversation shifts to the core of Lively's case: her retaliation claim relies heavily on these text messages, which could be excluded via a motion in limine if obtained improperly. They explore California Civil Code Section 47.1, a new law protecting sexual harassment victims from defamation suits, and whether Lively's use of it is appropriate. Faruzan outlines worst-case scenarios for Lively and her attorneys, such as malicious prosecution lawsuits or sanctions under CCP 128.7. The episode also touches on the roles of other parties like Steve Sarowitz, who is funding Baldoni's legal defense, and the potential for appeals. Throughout, Peter and Faruzan emphasize the case's implications for legal ethics, public understanding of the law, and the potential misuse of protections meant for victims.

As heard by us

A plainspoken pass through the subpoenas, discovery fights, and possible consequences inside a celebrity legal saga.

Van Zandt, described as Blake Lively's shell company, anchors a focused look at a subpoena, a lawsuit, and the questions that can follow when civil litigation starts to sound like it may carry criminal consequences.

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Why you'd press play

You want to know whether the Van Zandt subpoena fight raises real legal risk for Blake Lively, not just internet-lawyer applause.

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