By Reform Agency
31 Oct 2023, 01:09 AM EDT
Actor Robert De Niro appeared in a New York court, in the middle of a civil case that accuses him of harassing and overburdening his former longtime executive assistant.
According to several media outlets, De Niro, winner of two Oscar awards, was combative under interrogation by Andrew Macurdy, lawyer for his accuser, Graham Chase Robinson, calling the accusations “nonsense.”
“I asked him to do anything within reason, within the confines of his job,” De Niro said in court.
The allegation from Robinson, who filed his lawsuit after resigning in 2019, includes allegations of sexual jokes and being tasked with scratching De Niro’s back as part of his responsibilities.
Yesterday’s testimony focused primarily on Robinson’s work hours and his claim that he had to be available at all times, including holidays, birthdays and weekends.
De Niro insisted that Robinson’s work hours were “civilized” and that he only called her at odd hours in crisis situations.
The actor, who hopes to continue his testimony today, has also filed a countersuit against Robinson, alleging that she misused a company card for personal expenses and vacations.
The confrontation in court not only concerns allegations of workplace harassment, but also alleged financial abuse and embezzlement.
An eight-person jury will be in charge of making a decision in this case that is expected to last two weeks.
De Niro’s lawyer, Richard Schoenstein, stressed to the jury that this is not the story of a helpless woman subjected to discrimination by her employer.
Robinson, he said, “worked for De Niro for 11 years, created discord and drama in the office, fabricated complaints against other employees and blamed others for his behavior.”
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