Ryan Rizza has been dragged down by former Star Political magazine Olivia Nuzzi as a shameless “liar” after rescinding a no-contact order she filed after a sordid tryst with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The 31-year-old former New York magazine reporter filed a motion Friday seeking to dismiss a non-disclosure order against his ex-girlfriend. It's been more than a month since she accused a Politico reporter of harassment and intimidation over a year-long email exchange. Nuzzi's lawyer identified him as a Kennedy heir.
“Olivia shamelessly used a lawsuit based on false defamation claims as a public relations strategy. When asked, she refused to defend herself in court last month,” Riza wrote in a statement to the Post. said in a statement.
Riza accused her ex-girlfriend of trying to “seal the proceedings she initiated from the public” and that Nuzzi made his “fabricated allegations” on the eve of a hearing “when he knew his lies would be exposed.” She added that she had taken “the only option available to her” to withdraw the decision. You'll be exposed. ”
“Olivia lied to me for nearly a year. She lied to her editor. She lied to her readers. She lied to her colleagues. She lied to reporters. I lied. And she lied to the judge in that case. I said I would vigorously and successfully defend her against her lies, and I am fully prepared to do so. I'm glad that this issue has been resolved for now,” Riza said.
Nuzzi's lawyer, Ari Wilkenfeld, argued that the 31-year-old revoked the no-contact order because he became concerned about her physical safety and well-being amid the couple's legal battle. He added that clients would benefit from being “freed from this process.” That's according to documents filed Friday in Washington, D.C., Superior Court, The Washington Post reported.
In her complaint, Nuzzi accused her ex-girlfriend of publicly defaming and plotting to destroy her name and reputation.
“MS. Nuzzi is not interested in public relations battles,” Wilkenfeld said in a statement to the Post.
On October 1, Nuzzi was granted a no-contact order against Rizza after he hacked her device and blackmailed her over her affair with RFK Jr., who is nearly 40 years her senior.
In subsequent court filings, Ms. Rizza, 50, described Ms. Nuzzi as a broken-hearted woman who desperately tried to save her engagement after he dumped her, according to documents filed in Washington, D.C., Superior Court. It is said that he portrayed her as a heartbroken lover.
After learning that Nuzzi had been in a nearly year-long relationship with the former presidential candidate, she confronted him and said they had broken off their engagement on Aug. 17, according to the filing.
According to the filing, Nuzzi said RFK Jr. wanted to “possess” her, “control” her and “impregnate” her.
Riza claimed everything she learned about her relationship with Kennedy. Married to actress Cheryl Hines — Nuzzi's own tearful confession as she tried to win him back, the filing said.
Politico's Washington correspondent Rizza, who is currently on leave from the popular and influential Playbook magazine, has refuted the hacking allegations, denying that he leaked details of the relationship to editors or the media. .
“Olivia shamelessly used a lawsuit based on false defamation claims as a public relations strategy. When asked, she refused to defend herself in court last month,” Riza wrote in a statement to the Post. said in a statement.
“She then tried to hide my answers to her allegations from the public by trying to seal the proceedings she had initiated. Now she knew her lies would be exposed at the hearing. She took the only steps available to her and retracted the fabricated allegations.”
“Olivia lied to me for nearly a year. She lied to her editor. She lied to her readers. She lied to her colleagues. She lied to reporters. I lied. And she lied to the judge in this case. I said I would vigorously and successfully defend her against her lies, and I am fully prepared to do so. But for now, we are happy that this issue has been resolved,” Riza concluded.
Nuzzi's career stalled in September. was given a vacation When she admitted to having a personal relationship with RFK Jr., it was written by New York Magazine: Profiling his independent presidential campaign Last November.
He was then kicked off the show last month after sordid stories about the incident and his legal battle with Liza proliferated.
New York state said an outside investigation found no evidence of bias in Nuzzi's coverage during the 2024 election.
“Nevertheless, the magazine and Nuzzi have agreed that the best path forward is to part ways,” the New York statement said, later calling her a “uniquely talented writer.” I called.
Nuzzi reportedly began sexting with Kennedy, 70, shortly after the profile, allegedly sending her “discreet nudes.”
A source exclusively told Page Six that the pair even had “incredible” sex over FaceTime, with Nuzzi saying he was impressed with Kennedy's sexual stamina. There is.
“Olivia said she told multiple people that they loved each other.” [over the phone] “Every time they talk,” a source said.
President Kennedy has said he only met Nzi once, contradicting other reports that the affair began when he grabbed her hand while hiking for a profile picture. However, sources close to him claim that she was his pursuer.
A representative for Nuzzi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
