In a landmark decision, a Manhattan civil jury ruled that actor Robert De Niro’s production company, Canal Productions, discriminated against and retaliated against Graham Chase Robinson, his former assistant. The jury ordered the production company to pay more than $1.2 million in damages to Robinson, ending a four-year legal battle.
A jury found Robert De Niro’s company, Canal Productions, liable for gender discrimination and ordered him to pay $1.2 million in damages to his former assistant Graham Chase Robinson. @stephgosk reports on details. pic.twitter.com/XwQOOk0kza
– TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 10, 2023
The trial, which took place over two weeks in Manhattan federal court, exposed the contentious relationship between De Niro and Robinson. The case included accusations of degrading solicitations, theft of airline miles and heated confrontations. Robinson’s countersuit against De Niro’s initial legal action alleged emotional distress, reputational damage and gender discrimination during her tenure as his assistant.
While De Niro himself was not found responsible, his production company faced significant repercussions. The seven-member jury awarded Robinson $632,142.86 for both gender discrimination and retaliation. De Niro’s attorney, Rich Schoenstein, expressed satisfaction that the jury had “separated Bob from this,” and emphasized that “this is a huge victory for Mr. De Niro. He was acquitted.”
Robinson’s attorney, Brent Hannafan, praised the verdict as a complete vindication for his client, saying: “We are delighted with the verdict. It has been totally vindicated. “The jury ruled against Canal, it ruled against Canal on all of his counterclaims.”
Exposing a toxic culture
The legal battle unfolded as Robinson, who began working for De Niro in 2008, rose through the ranks and eventually became production director at Canal Productions. Her $12 million lawsuit details allegations of misconduct, including lewd jokes, inappropriate requests and derogatory language used by De Niro. The accusations also extended to De Niro’s girlfriend, Tiffany Chan, who allegedly berated Robinson and accused her of trying to rob De Niro.
De Niro, in his defence, admitted berating Robinson but denied any abusive behaviour, citing annoyance. The courtroom drama exposed the inner workings of Canal Productions, with employees testifying about office gossip, drama and backstabbing within the company.
The jury’s decision highlights the broader social conversation around workplace discrimination and the power dynamics that exist within the entertainment industry. Robinson’s case sheds light on the challenges employees face when confronted by powerful figures in the workplace.
While De Niro’s legal team did not rule out the possibility of an appeal, Robinson’s victory represents a significant moment in the current discourse around workplace harassment and discrimination. The jury’s decision sends a message about accountability and sets a precedent for addressing misconduct in high-profile workplaces.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn