Former personal assistant to Robert De Niro, Graham Chase Robinson, was awarded over $1.2 million by a New York jury on Thursday. The jury held Mr. De Niro’s company, Canal Productions, responsible for creating a toxic work environment for Robinson. Although the jury did not find Mr. De Niro personally liable, they ruled that his company engaged in gender discrimination and retaliation against Robinson, ordering two payments of $632,142 to be made to her.
The two-week trial saw Mr. De Niro, who spent three days on the witness stand, entangled in legal battles with Robinson since her resignation in April 2019. Despite his active participation in the trial, Mr. De Niro was absent from the courtroom when the verdict was announced on Thursday.
Robinson’s lawsuit against Mr. De Niro and Canal Productions accused the actor and his company of gender discrimination, harassment, and abusive behavior. She alleged that Mr. De Niro made inappropriate and derogatory comments towards her, while his company fostered a hostile work environment for her. The jury’s decision to award her over $1.2 million signifies a significant victory for Robinson in her legal battle against the actor and his company.
During the trial, Mr. De Niro denied the allegations, portraying Robinson as an untrustworthy employee who embezzled money from the company and watched Netflix during work hours. His legal team argued that the payments awarded to Robinson were excessive and requested a lesser amount, although the jury ultimately ruled in her favor.
The outcome of the trial is expected to have far-reaching implications for workplace discrimination cases, particularly in the entertainment industry. The #MeToo movement has shed light on the prevalence of gender discrimination and abuse of power in Hollywood and beyond, amplifying the urgency of holding individuals and companies accountable for their actions.
The jury’s decision serves as a powerful reminder that no one, regardless of their status or influence, is above the law. The ruling against Mr. De Niro’s company for gender discrimination and retaliation reaffirms the importance of creating safe and respectful work environments for all employees.
As for Mr. De Niro, the legal battle with Robinson has undoubtedly tarnished his reputation and raised questions about his conduct in the workplace. The actor’s involvement in this contentious case will undoubtedly impact his public image and the perception of his character, both in the entertainment industry and among his fans.
In the aftermath of the trial, the spotlight is on Mr. De Niro and Canal Productions, as they face the consequences of the jury’s decision. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly reverberate throughout the entertainment industry, signaling a shift towards greater accountability and justice for victims of workplace discrimination and abuse.
