Politico’s Ryan Lizza on Leave After Ex Olivia Nuzzi Accuses Him of Harassment, Blackmail Amid RFK Jr. Tryst
Olivia Nuzzi, a writer for New York magazine, has accused her ex-fiancé, Ryan Lizza, a prominent political journalist with Politico, of orchestrating a harassment and blackmail campaign against her after their split and while Nuzzi was in a personal relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Nuzzi filed a lawsuit in Washington, D.C.’s Superior Court this week, alleging that Lizza began his campaign of harassment in early July. She claims that Lizza stole and hacked her devices, spread information about their affair to peers anonymously, and threatened to make public personal information to destroy her life, career, and reputation. The lawsuit also suggests that Lizza may have used an anonymous alias to give damaging information to an unnamed political campaign.
Lizza has denied the allegations, stating that Nuzzi’s claims are false and aimed at diverting attention from her own personal and professional shortcomings. Despite his denial, Politico has mutually agreed with Lizza that he would take a leave of absence while an investigation is conducted following Nuzzi’s filing.
A temporary restraining order has been granted against Lizza, prohibiting him from contacting Nuzzi and mandating that he stop using any information obtained illegally. Nuzzi was also placed on leave by New York magazine after admitting to a personal relationship with RFK Jr., which violated the magazine’s standards regarding conflicts of interest and disclosures.
