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Alec Baldwin’s Misconduct Lawsuit Over ‘Rust’ Prosecution Back On, Could Move to Federal Court

Alec Baldwin’s lawsuit against New Mexico officials over his prosecution in the death of Halyna Hutchins is back on, and could move to federal court

Alec Baldwin

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Alec Baldwin’s “malicious prosecution” lawsuit against authorities in New Mexico tied to the accidental shooting death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is back on, and could be heading to federal court.

Baldwin originally filed the lawsuit in New Mexico state court in January, months after his criminal case for involuntary manslaughter was tossed (prosecutors ultimately declined to appeal). But this past July, Baldwin’s own civil suit was dismissed because of inactivity.

Online court records show Baldwin filed an unopposed motion to reinstate the case in September, which was accepted earlier this month. Then on Tuesday, Oct. 21, the defendants filed to move the case from state to federal court.

A lawyer for the defendants, Luis Robles, told the Los Angeles Times that this move was made because Baldwin “brought federal civil rights claims” in his suit. Also, Baldwin does not live in New Mexico, where the case was filed.

Baldwin is still able to petition to have the case brought back to state court. A lawyer for the actor did not immediately return Rolling Stone’s request for comment.

When Baldwin’s suit was dismissed over the summer, his lawyer, Luke Nikas, called it a “non-event,” noting that Baldwin’s team had “been in good-faith settlement discussions with the parties to the lawsuit.” He did say the actor would refile “if those discussions are not promptly and favorably resolved.”

Baldwin’s suit names numerous high-profile New Mexico officials who worked on the involuntary manslaughter case against him, including special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, and investigators from the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office.

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He has accused the defendants of violating his constitutional rights through “improper use of the criminal process,” including failing to disclose evidence on several occasions. He also alleged the defendants used the case to benefit their personal agendas or professional ambitions” and that prosecutors were “blinded by their desire to convict Alec Baldwin for all the wrong reasons, and at any cost.”

The defendants have denied the allegations.

From Rolling Stone US