Robert De Niro’s company, Canal Productions, was found liable in a gender discrimination lawsuit filed by his ex-assistant. Canal Productions was ordered to pay $1.2 million to Graham Chase Robinson.
The jury award was significantly less than the $12 million Robinson had asked for.
The jury deliberated for 5 hours before reaching a verdict on Thursday in Manhattan Federal Court.
The 80-year-old acting legend was not found liable for gender discrimination or retaliation in the civil lawsuit. But the jury rejected De Niro’s allegation that Robinson stole millions in frequent-flyer miles from his company.
De Niro filed a lawsuit against Robinson in 2019, claiming she stole frequent-flyer miles and binge-watched the TV sitcom Friends while on the job.
Robinson countersued De Niro in October 2019. She claimed she was “forced” to resign in April 2019 after 15 years as a “faithful” employee. Robinson accused the “Raging Bull” director of subjecting her to gender discrimination, retaliation, and creating a toxic workplace.
Robinson alleged that De Niro made vulgar comments to her and assigned her to domestic duties such as washing his sheets.
De Niro’s temper got the best of him during the 2-week civil case.
He grew frustrated while answering questions on the stand about texts and emails exchanged between himself and Robinson.
At one point, De Niro yelled out, “This is all nonsense!”
He also called Robinson “mean-spirited” and yelled, Shame on you!”
When Robinson’s lawyers asked De Niro whether his girlfriend instructed him to fire Robinson, he snapped, “No one tells me what to do in my office. Period!”
