A legal battle between two prominent journalists threatens to expose shocking details about a high-profile political affair.
According to Daily Mail Online, New York Magazine writer Olivia Nuzzi is taking her ex-fiancé Ryan Lizza to court over blackmail allegations related to her affair with former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The case promises to uncover new secrets about the scandalous relationship that has already rocked the political journalism world.
Nuzzi, 31, was suspended from New York Magazine last month after admitting to an "emotional affair" with Kennedy. The relationship reportedly included steamy sexting sessions and what sources described as "incredible" FaceTime encounters.
In her court filing, Nuzzi alleges that Lizza, Politico's chief Washington correspondent, stole her electronic devices to access private information about her affair with Kennedy. She claims he then leaked "doctored" details to the media in an attempt to blackmail her.
Lizza has denied the accusations, stating he is "saddened" by what he calls false allegations meant to divert attention from Nuzzi's own "personal and professional failings." He vows to defend himself "vigorously and successfully" against the claims.
The legal drama has brought intense scrutiny to Lizza's background, with reports emerging about his family's alleged ties to corruption, fraud, and even organized crime in New York.
According to The Daily Beast, Lizza's family has a complicated history in the asphalt and construction industries, with multiple relatives facing legal troubles over the years.
His brother Frank Jr. was reportedly convicted of embezzling from employee benefit plans and falsifying records. Other family members have been accused of bid-rigging, bribery, and even connections to notorious mob boss John Gotti.
One of Lizza's uncles, Carl Lizza Jr., was found liable on dozens of mail fraud counts related to a bid-rigging conspiracy. Another uncle, Elia, was sentenced in 2020 for bribing a local official as part of a multi-million dollar property development scheme.
As the legal battle unfolds, a judge has granted Nuzzi a temporary no-contact order against Lizza. She will also be allowed police escorts to retrieve her belongings from their shared residence.
Lizza has taken a leave of absence from Politico in the wake of the scandal. He was recently spotted looking tense while on a coffee run near his Washington D.C. apartment, attempting to keep a low profile.
In her court filing, Nuzzi accuses Lizza of carrying out threats to "destroy my life, career, and reputation" by leaking personal information. She claims his actions are part of an elaborate scheme to blackmail her back into a relationship. Lizza maintains his innocence, telling CNN in a statement: "I emphatically deny these allegations and I will defend myself against them vigorously and successfully."
As the case moves forward, it seems likely that more explosive revelations about the Nuzzi-Kennedy affair and the journalists' bitter breakup will come to light. The scandal has already upended multiple careers and promises to send further shockwaves through the world of political media.
