Justin Baldoni‘s publicist Jennifer Abel is being sued by her former boss Stephanie Jones, but new leaked evidence is providing more details about what happened.
A previous report revealed that Stephanie‘s company Jonesworks was the source of the leaked text messages that were included in Blake Lively‘s lawsuit against Justin.
The Variety report said that Jennifer was fired by Jonesworks on August 21, just days after It Ends With Us was released. She was reportedly fired after the company’s founder learned that she was “poised to leave and start her own firm.” Jennifer was ordered to turn over company phone and sign documents.
Now we’ve learned that Jennifer actually quit the company in July, but planned on remaining at the PR firm until wrapping the It Ends With Us press tour.
Keep reading to find out more…
TheWrap is reporting that Jennifer voluntary resigned from Jonesworks on July 10 and set her departure date as August 23, but she was terminated on August 21.
“Jennifer tendered her resignation in July and had agreed to stay on until Aug. 23. She was terminated early after Jonesworks discovered that she had stolen over 70 documents,” an insider close to Jones told TheWrap.
Stephanie is suing Justin, Jennifer, crisis publicist Melissa Nathan, and Justin‘s company, Wayfarer Studios, for defamation, breach of contract and more, and is asking for unspecified damages that her company has allegedly incurred as a result.
A source close to Abel said she quit over “bullying” behavior from Jones.
Jennifer‘s lawyer Bryan Freedman confirms to JustJared.com that a leaked resignation letter is valid. You can read that below.
Hi Steph—
First of all, I wanted to say thank you for the call we had a couple days ago. I know it wasn’t easy, and I’m so appreciative that you trust me enough to be vulnerable, honest and for us to have a real conversation about our working relationship. I know you are currently going through a lot with work, personal life and your health and the last thing I want to do is to add to that— I hope you know me well enough by now that no matter how dramatic I can be (????) I really do strive to make work life easier on you and take as much as possible off of your plate.
Since I resigned, I have been doing a lot of thinking about what I want with my career. I may have quit under unforeseen circumstances, but these past two weeks I have really taken a step back to reevaluate what I want for next steps. I really do believe that everything happens for a reason, and I wanted to really reflect on why things continue to escalate between the two of us and why I was constantly feeling like I was letting you down. I take full responsibility for my part in all of this. I’m not proud of how emotional I get in these situations, or the way I choose to step away when I feel like we are not making progress in our conversations. I know I have things to work on as well with my communication, and this whole situation has been a good learning moment for me on the ways I need to improve how I get my point across.
With all of this said, the facts remain—I respect you immensely. I feel so grateful for the opportunities you have given me with your premiere clients and how you have lifted me up as your partner. I would not have had the opportunity to be in many of the rooms that I have been in without you opening the door. This company you have built is exceptional, and I hold our teams with the highest regard. I know I didn’t do it by myself, but I do take pride in what I have contributed to your LA office and the team I have been building and managing over the past four years, along with the new clients and opportunities I have procured.
I do feel it’s necessary at this point that I continue to move forward with my resignation. I say this with heavy heart, yet with the excitement that I can take everything that I have learned from you as I start on this new path with my own business. I know this path won’t be easy, but I hope I can keep you in my life as a mentor, a friend and a close confidant because I truly view you as family and would be lost without your support. I want to assure you however I can, that unlike those who have burned you in the past, that there is not one ounce of ill will here. I have left a company before with grace and with my relationships intact, and that’s what I fully plan on, and hope for. In order to plan, I will need to stick with my previously communicated end date of August 23rd which I hope is plenty of time to ensure a smooth transition for all.
I thank you again for the most amazing time here at JW and I look forward to our relationship continuing in this new capacity.
Thank you again for understanding and for your support— With LOVE!
-Jennifer
Jennifer previously released a lengthy statement to defend the text messages that were leaked in the lawsuit.
