CELEBRITY
Jury Awards More Than $1.2 Million To Robert De Niro’s Former Assistant Over Toxic Work Environment
chaco360/Instagram
A jury awarded more than $1.2 million to Robert De Niro’s former executive assistant after finding his company, Canal Productions, responsible for creating a toxic work environment.
At the end of a contentious two-week trial that saw the actor snap on the stand during two days of testimony, the jury did not find De Niro personally liable, but said Canal engaged in gender discrimination and retaliation against Graham Chase Robinson.
Robinson filed the civil lawsuit after she quit the job in 2019, having worked for the Oscar winner for 11 years, and De Niro filed a countersuit alleging she improperly used a company credit card for personal expenses and vacations and embezzled $6 million from Canal Productions.
Lawyers for both sides appeared pleased with the verdict. Attorney Richard Schoenstein said De Niro was absolved.
He is not liable for anything that was charged against him at all,” Schoenstein told reporters outside the courthouse. “Theres a modest award against the company. But, you know, they were looking for $12 million.”
According to her complaint, De Niro made sexual jokes around her and made inappropriate physical contact, such as requiring her to scratch his back when it itched.
Brent Hannafan, one of Robinson’s lawyers, said during opening arguments that when Robinson suggested De Niro use a back scratcher, he told her, I like the way you do it.
The lawsuit also alleged she was overworked, required to be on call at all times and required to keep De Niro apprised of her whereabouts and travel plans at all times, even if she just went out for a run.
During questioning last week, De Niro described Robinson’s accusations as nonsense.
Andrew Macurdy, another attorney for Robinson, asked what De Niro meant when he said during an earlier deposition that Robinson did anything and everything for him.
“I asked her to do anything within reason — within the confines of her job,” De Niro said, clearly frustrated. “I dont know what youre trying to say,” De Niro said. “I dont like that implication.”
De Niro also said Robinson’s hours were civilized, and that he only called on her at odd hours during emergencies. As an example, he admitted calling her at 4 a.m. for help getting to the hospital after he fell down a staircase at his home.
Robinson testified that she quit the job due to a mental and emotional breakdown.
She said she developed anxiety and depression as a result of the job, and hasn’t worked since despite applying for more than 600 jobs.
The eight-person jury rejected De Niro’s counter claims, and ordered Canal Productions to pay Robinson two installments of $632,142.
TMX contributed to this article.
