Legal proceedings in Hollywood have uncovered allegations of coordinated online smear campaigns targeting individuals involved in various disputes. These campaigns are reported to involve public relations professional Melissa Nathan, digital fixer Jed Wallace, and attorney Bryan Freedman, though all implicated parties deny involvement in creating the websites. The allegations include the creation of websites containing negative and unsubstantiated claims against public figures, with one specific case detailing reported instructions for a campaign against producer Amanda Ghost on behalf of actress-director Rebel Wilson, who denies the claims.
All implicated parties deny involvement in creating the websites, which contain negative and unsubstantiated claims against public figures.
Initial Allegations and Emerging Patterns
The emergence of these allegations began with reports from individuals like Alexa Nikolas, an activist who stated she was targeted by an anonymous website containing claims she described as false. Kate Whiteman, an accuser in a separate sex trafficking trial, also reported being targeted by websites containing negative claims. These sites were described as difficult to remove.
The pattern of these incidents led to investigations that, according to court documents, have connected the origins of some of these websites to crisis publicist Melissa Nathan and digital fixer Jed Wallace. Nathan and Wallace have been previously involved in legal disputes.
Legal Proceedings and Forensic Findings
Stephanie Jones, a former publicist, filed a lawsuit against Nathan, Wallace, Justin Baldoni, and his production company, Wayfarer. Jones's legal team asserted that an investigation into a website targeting her revealed "a growing list of attack websites from the same band of conspirators." The suit alleges that Nathan, Wallace, and others engaged in creating "highly offensive and negative online content" to damage individuals' reputations.
These sites allegedly made unsubstantiated claims such as extortion, embezzlement, prostitution, and human trafficking against targets.
A digital forensics consultant hired by Jones's lawyers detailed commonalities among hosting providers, page formats, link structures, SEO systems, referring domains, and IP ranges across these websites, reportedly suggesting connections to Wallace. Discovery in Blake Lively's court proceedings reportedly revealed Nathan's firm's communication strategy included working with a "digital team" headed by Wallace for online management and reputation combat.
Alexa Nikolas also filed a defamation lawsuit against Bryan Freedman, Nathan's attorney, and Nathan. Nikolas contends that Freedman was "an integral part of a team working to control narratives" and protect individuals.
Allegations in the Rebel Wilson-Amanda Ghost Dispute
Significant details emerged from an alleged recording and text exchanges related to a legal dispute between actress-director Rebel Wilson and producer Amanda Ghost.
A recording reportedly revealed discussions within Rebel Wilson’s public relations team regarding plans to create anonymous websites accusing Ghost of sex trafficking, allegedly part of a smear campaign solicited by Wilson.
In the recording, Jed Wallace reportedly instructed Melissa Nathan to assert, without providing evidence, that producer Amanda Ghost operates as a "madame" who procures young women for wealthy and powerful men. Wallace reportedly stated that the accusations needed to be "really, really heavy" and referenced Bryan Freedman's involvement in the alleged plan.
Text exchanges presented in court between Nathan and an employee allegedly discuss creating a "really really harsh" site targeting Ghost on behalf of Wilson. Wilson has denied orchestrating the campaign. Ghost has sued Wilson, Nathan, and others for defamation over multiple sites that she claims falsely portrayed her in illegal activities. Court filings reportedly name Camp Sugar, Wilson’s production company, as an author of a document containing accusations.
Katie Case, a former vice president at Nathan's firm, The Agency Group (TAG), stated in a deposition that she revised copy, allegedly drafted by Camp Sugar, to align with Wallace’s instructions, without being presented with corroborating evidence for the claims. Wilson reportedly messaged her public relations team to "get the negative information out about Ghost." A now-deleted website, titled "Amanda Ghost is a Destroyer of Worlds," reportedly included language identical to the document allegedly sent by Camp Sugar to TAG, including a comparison of Ghost to the "Indian Ghislaine Maxwell."
Other Reported Targets
Several other individuals and entities have been linked to this alleged network:
- Min Hee-jin: A K-pop executive, formerly of a Hybe subsidiary, was reportedly targeted by a website connected to the network.
- Christian Lanng: The former CEO of fintech firm Tradeshift, who sued Freedman for defamation and extortion, alleging the creation of "deepfake stories" and sham websites.
- Paige Jimenez: An Instagram influencer and OnlyFans model, who reported that Freedman contacted her and later sent her a link to a website containing claims about her, including personal details from a domestic violence restraining order.
- Tamara Rubin: An advocate for lead poisoning awareness, who discovered a website targeting her, which she believes negatively impacted her business and personal life.
- Bryan Freedman: An anonymous site about Freedman himself was created in April 2024, with its assertions limited to public record. Freedman did not provide a comment regarding its origin or actions taken.
Characteristics of the Websites
The websites, which reportedly went offline after the Jones litigation linked them, were described as having an "unpolished, even primitive" design and a tone characterized as "over-the-top," aiming to appear as if wronged individuals were speaking out.
The content often combined factual assertions with "outlandish, unsubstantiated conspiracies and defamatory accusations."
This method of mixing true and false claims is recognized as a disinformation tactic.
Statements and Denials from Involved Parties
Melissa Nathan and Jed Wallace, through their attorney Bryan Freedman, have denied involvement in creating the websites.
Freedman maintains there is no technical or factual basis linking his clients to the sites and attributes the claims to "speculation."
Rebel Wilson has repeatedly denied involvement in the alleged smear websites, including in sworn legal testimony. Wallace has also denied characterizations of his work as involving "untraceable campaigns," with his attorney describing his business as a "crisis mitigation firm" that assists individuals facing "human crisis."
Professional and Ethical Context
Industry professionals in legal and public relations circles indicate that while some online tactics have become normalized, the "weaponizing of smear sites as professional practice" is considered beyond acceptable bounds and is "exceptionally rare" to be exposed in court filings.
Camille Vasquez, an attorney for Amanda Ghost, stated that any litigator’s involvement in commissioning smear sites would constitute "a profound abuse of power and a betrayal of the lawyer’s role in the justice system," potentially distorting the legal process.
Impact on Individuals
Individuals targeted by these sites have reported significant negative consequences, including financial hardship, personal distress, and a reduction in professional activities. Paige Jimenez reported having to relocate due to personal information being exposed.