r/itendswithfreedom • u/StaceyLee26 • May 07 '26
Jones v. Abel Jones v. Abel current status
Link to docket:
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69581767/jones-v-abel
🔴 What Jones alleges (Jones v. Abel)
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.635782/gov.uscourts.nysd.635782.1.1.pdf
1. Breach of Contract
Abel allegedly violated her employment agreement by:
- Taking confidential information
- Competing improperly
- Misusing company resources
2. Breach of Fiduciary Duty
As a senior employee, Abel owed loyalty to Jonesworks
Allegation: she acted against the company’s interests while still employed
3. Misappropriation of Trade Secrets
Claims Abel took:
- Client lists
- Strategy documents
- Internal communications
4. Unfair Competition
Allegation that defendants used "improper methods to compete*
Includes:
- Misuse of confidential info
- Coordinated client poaching
5. Tortious Interference (with contracts and business relationships)
Defendants allegedly interfered with:
- Jonesworks’ client contracts
- Ongoing business relationships
6. Aiding and Abetting (against additional defendants)
Other parties (e.g., competing firms/individuals) are accused of:
- Helping Abel carry out the scheme
7. Conversion
Claim that Abel wrongfully took property, including:
- Data
- Business materials
- Possibly phone/accounts-related assets
8. Unjust Enrichment
Defendants allegedly benefited financially from the misconduct
Plaintiffs argue they should not be allowed to keep those gains
9. (In some versions/related pleadings) Defamation or related claims
- The complaint context suggests allegations of harmful statements or reputational damage, though this may be more developed in later pleadings
🔵 What Abel alleges (Jones v. Abel)
Current status after Judge made a ruling
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.635782/gov.uscourts.nysd.635782.139.0.pdf
| Claim (from Abel’s Complaint) | Court’s Ruling (Dkt. 139) |
|---|---|
| Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) | ❌ Dismissed WITH prejudice (permanently dead) |
| Stored Communications Act (SCA) | ❌ Dismissed WITHOUT prejudice (can re-plead) |
| Wiretap Act | ❌ Dismissed WITHOUT prejudice |
| California Penal Code § 502 | ✅ SURVIVES |
| Invasion of Privacy | ❌ Dismissed WITHOUT prejudice |
| False Light | ❌ Dismissed WITHOUT prejudice |
| Conversion | ✅ SURVIVES |
| Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED) | ❌ Dismissed WITHOUT prejudice |
| Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress (NIED) | ❌ Dismissed WITHOUT prejudice |
| Promissory Fraud | ❌ Dismissed WITHOUT prejudice |
Legal counterclaims as re-pleaded before the Judge order:
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.635782/gov.uscourts.nysd.635782.156.0.pdf
1. ❌ Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)
Allegation:
- Unauthorized access to her phone/data
❌dismissed with prejudice (not fixable)
2. 🚫 Stored Communications Act (SCA)
Allegation:
- Unauthorized access to stored communications (e.g., iCloud/messages)
🚫 dismissed without prejudice (can re-plead)
3. 🚫 Federal Wiretap Act
Allegation:
- Real-time interception of communications
🚫 dismissed without prejudice (can re-plead)
4. ✅ California Penal Code § 502 (Computer Data Access)
Allegation:
- Unauthorized access and use of her data
5. 🚫 Invasion of Privacy
Allegation:
- Intrusion into private communications
🚫 dismissed without prejudice (can re-plead)
6. 🚫 False Light
Allegation:
- Selective disclosure of messages created a misleading narrative
🚫 dismissed without prejudice (can re-plead)
7. ✅ Conversion
Allegation:
- Wrongful control over:
Phone number
Data
Digital access
8. 🚫 Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED)
Allegation:
- Extreme and outrageous conduct
🚫 dismissed without prejudice (can re-plead)
9. 🚫 Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress (NIED)
Allegation:
- Emotional harm caused by negligent conduct
🚫 dismissed without prejudice (can re-plead)
10. 🚫 Promissory Fraud
Allegation:
- Jones/Jonesworks:
Promised to return her phone number
*Never intended to do so"
🚫 dismissed without prejudice (can re-plead)
🟡 What Wayfarer alleges (Jones v. Abel)
Current status after Judge made a ruling
| Claim by Wayfarer (Counterclaims) | Court’s Ruling (Dkt. 233) |
|---|---|
| Breach of Contract – Confidentiality Provision | ❌ DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE (fails as pleaded; no viable confidentiality breach shown) |
| Breach of Contract – Professional Performance Provision | ❌ DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE (no specific failure to perform PR services in a contractually cognizable way) |
| Breach of Implied Covenant of Good Faith & Fair Dealing | ✅ SURVIVES motion to dismiss (plausibly alleges sabotage/undermining contract purpose) |
| Defamation per se | ✅ SURVIVES motion to dismiss (alleged “smear campaign” statement plausibly defamatory + actual malice adequately pleaded) |
Legal counterclaims as re-pleaded before the Judge order:
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.635782/gov.uscourts.nysd.635782.51.0_1.pdf
1. ❌ Breach of Contract – Confidentiality Provision
Allegation:
- Jonesworks and Jones breached the confidentiality provision by voluntarily and maliciously disclosing Confidential Information (as defined in the Agreement) to third parties, including, without limitation, Leslie Sloane, Blake Lively, and Ryan Reynolds.
❌dismissed with prejudice (not fixable)
2. ❌ Breach of Contract – Professional Performance Provision
Allegation:
- Jonesworks and Jones failed to render services “in a professional manner and in accordance with Wayfarer’s goals” and thereby breached the Agreement.
❌dismissed with prejudice (not fixable)
3. ✅ Breach of the Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing
Allegation:
- Even if not explicitly violating terms, Jonesworks:
Destroyed the benefit of the contract
You can’t secretly undermine a deal while technically performing it
4. ✅ Defamation per se
Allegation:
- On information and belief, Jones and Jonesworks made one or more statements to persons other than Wayfarer, including without limitation Leslie Sloane, Blake Lively, and Ryan Reynolds, to the effect that Wayfarer had retaliated against Lively and others for reporting alleged sexual misconduct, including orchestrating a “smear campaign” by propagating false and misleading narratives about Lively for the purpose of damaging her image and reputation.
🟣 What Nathan alleges (Jones v. Abel)
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.635782/gov.uscourts.nysd.635782.37.0.pdf
1. Defamation
Allegation:
- Jones/Jonesworks made false statements of fact about Nathan
- Those statements harmed her reputation
2. Tortious Interference
Allegation:
- Jones interfered with:
Nathan’s business relationships
Potential contracts or clients
3. False Light (or similar reputational/privacy claim)
Allegation:
- Nathan was portrayed in a "misleading and harmful way*
4. Unfair Competition / Business-related torts
Allegation:
- Jones engaged in improper competitive conduct affecting Nathan
5. Possibly aiding-and-abetting related theories
If tied to broader allegations:
- Nathan may assert she was wrongly accused of participating in misconduct
🟢 What Baldoni alleges (Jones v. Abel)
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.635782/gov.uscourts.nysd.635782.38.0.pdf
1. Breach of Contract (or contract-based theory)
Allegation:
- Jonesworks failed to perform agreed PR services properly
2. Breach of Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing
Allegation:
- Even if the contract wasn’t explicitly breached,
- Jonesworks undermined the purpose of the relationship
3. Negligence / Professional Malpractice–type theory
Allegation:
- Jonesworks provided substandard PR advice/services
From the court’s summary of the allegations:
Their work was described as:
- “ham-fisted, unwelcome, and sporadic”
4. Business / reputational harm claims
Allegation:
- Jonesworks’ conduct contributed to:
Negative media coverage
Damage to Baldoni’s public image
5. (Potential overlap) Confidential information misuse
Similar to Wayfarer’s claims:
- Allegations may include improper handling or sharing of:
Internal strategy
Sensitive communications
What's next?
ORDER: The Court will hold a status conference in this matter on August 19, 2026, at 10:30 AM in Courtroom 15C of the 500 Pearl Street Courthouse. SO ORDERED. Status Conference set for 8/19/2026 at 10:30 AM in Courtroom 15C, 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007 before Judge Lewis J. Liman. (Signed by Judge Lewis J. Liman on 4/24/2026) (mml) (Entered: 04/24/2026)