Publicist claims smear campaign against Blake Lively was orchestrated by former employee

A new lawsuit by publicist Stephanie Jones claims that Justin Baldoni's former PR representative, Jennifer Abel, secretly orchestrated a smear campaign against Blake Lively while still employed by Jones. The lawsuit alleges Abel aimed to damage Lively's reputation to cover up Baldoni's misconduct. Jones's lawsuit, filed in Manhattan, states that Abel and another publicist, Melissa Nathan, conspired to undermine Jones's firm and steal clients. This follows Lively's recent complaint against Baldoni, alleging a hostile work environment during the filming of "It Ends With Us." Jones claims Abel stole sensitive documents and attempted to recruit clients for a competing firm. Abel has denied wrongdoing, stating she resigned to start her own business. Jones's lawsuit reveals evidence of Abel and Nathan's covert actions through forensically examined communications.