- Olivia Nuzzi has withdrawn her protective order request against her ex-fiancé Ryan Lizza.
- Nuzzi accused Lizza of blackmailing her in an October petition.
- The withdrawal is the latest turn in the dramatic aftermath of Nuzzi’s relationship with RFK Jr.
Olivia Nuzzi, the former New York magazine political correspondent who made headlines earlier this year for having a personal relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has withdrawn her request for a protective order against her ex-fiancé, fellow journalist Ryan Lizza.
In an October petition for a civil protection order, Nuzzi accused Lizza, a Politico reporter, of hacking her devices and stealing information to blackmail her. Nuzzi alleged her former fiancé tried to convince her to get back together with him and threatened to destroy her career if she refused. Lizza denied the allegations at the time.
Politico shares a parent company with Business Insider.
An attorney for Nuzzi confirmed to Business Insider that she withdrew the protective order request.
BI didn’t immediately view the motion, as court documents related to allegations of domestic abuse can only be accessed in person in the DC courthouse.
“Ms. Nuzzi has no interest in fighting a public relations battle. For insight into her decision, you can refer to the statements in her motion,” Nuzzi’s attorney, Ari Wilkenfeld, told BI.
Lizza did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI but provided a statement to Semafor’s Max Tani.
“Olivia shamelessly used litigation with false and defamatory allegations as a public relations strategy,” Lizza wrote.
Nuzzi’s withdrawal is the latest turn in the dramatic media story, which began when journalist Oliver Darcy reported in September in his newsletter, Status, that New York Magazine put Nuzzi on leave after learning she engaged in a personal relationship with Kennedy, who she covered as a presidential candidate.
Nuzzi said the relationship wasn’t physical. A spokesperson for Kennedy previously said he only met her once.
Following a third-party investigation into Nuzzi’s work, New York magazine said the probe found no inaccuracies or evidence of bias in her reporting. She and the magazine parted ways in October.
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