NEW YORK (AP) — In a recent court verdict, Robert De Niro’s former personal assistant, Graham Chase Robinson, was awarded over $1.2 million after a jury found De Niro’s company, Canal Productions, responsible for subjecting her to a toxic work environment. While De Niro himself was not found personally liable, the jury concluded that Canal Productions engaged in gender discrimination and retaliation against Robinson.
The trial lasted for two weeks, during which De Niro spent three days in court, including two on the witness stand. The ongoing legal battle between De Niro and Robinson began when she quit her position in April 2019. On Thursday, as the jury delivered the verdict, Robinson smiled and embraced her lawyers. She refrained from commenting outside the courthouse.
Both sides claimed victory following the verdict. Robinson’s attorney, Brent Hannafan, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “We’re thrilled with the verdict. Couldn’t be happier.” De Niro’s attorney, Richard Schoenstein, described the verdict as “a great victory for Mr. De Niro,” noting that the actor was absolved of all charges.
The jury awarded Robinson two payments of $632,142, holding Canal Productions responsible for its actions. Schoenstein indicated that De Niro’s legal team may attempt to reduce the award through post-verdict motions, but he was unsure if an appeal would be pursued.
During the trial, Robinson testified that De Niro and his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, had conspired against her, turning her once beloved job into a nightmare. De Niro and Chen countered that Robinson became problematic when she made escalating demands to continue working at Canal Productions, the company under De Niro’s ownership. Evidence presented included emails in which Chen expressed concerns about Robinson’s imagined intimate relationship with De Niro.
De Niro acknowledged several of Robinson’s claims during his own testimony, admitting that he had berated her but denying the use of profanity or abusive behavior. He also mentioned that Robinson had taken 5 million airline miles from the company’s accounts without justification but stated that he had allowed her to take 2 million miles.
In the aftermath of quitting her job, Robinson stated that she suffered from anxiety and depression, leading to a prolonged period of unemployment and personal struggles. De Niro’s lawyers had previously sued Robinson for breach of loyalty and fiduciary duty, seeking $6 million in damages, which the jury rejected.
Robert De Niro, a two-time Oscar winner, has not personally commented on the verdict. His notable film credits include “Raging Bull” and “The Deer Hunter,” with his latest appearance in the Martin Scorsese film “Killers of the Flower Moon,” currently in theaters.
In conclusion, Robert De Niro’s former personal assistant has been awarded over $1.2 million following a jury’s decision that his company, Canal Productions, subjected her to a toxic work environment. While De Niro himself was not found personally liable, the verdict states that his company engaged in gender discrimination and retaliation against the assistant.