Graham Chase Robinson, the Oscar winner's former employee, accuses the acting vet of bullying, gender discrimination and sexual harassment in a bombshell lawsuit.
- Oct 31, 2023
AceShowbiz - Robert De Niro showed up at Manhattan federal court on Monday, October 30 to testify in a civil case brought by his former assistant. Graham Chase Robinson, the former employee, accused the acting vet of bullying, gender discrimination and sexual harassment in a bombshell lawsuit.
In his testimony, Robert was not happy with some of the questions from Graham's attorney Andrew Macurdy. "This is all nonsense!" the two-time Oscar winner said. It was also said that Judge Lewis Liman interrupted his testimony numerous times to remind the actor that he only needed to answer the questions with "yes or no." The judge told the "Goodfellas" star, "Please limit your answer to just what is being asked."
Robert was additionally scolded for repeatedly speaking to his legal team when they were trying to voice objections to questions. "When there is an objection, you pause," the judge told the "Taxi Driver" actor.
During the trial, Robert was asked by Graham's attorney to explain his remarks about the ex-assistant's job requiring her to do "anything and everything." In response, Robert said, "Everything and everything- those are my words. Anything within the confines of the job. Those are my words but they don't mean everything."
He was also asked if it included his personal life as well. Robert denied, saying, "No. That makes it sound like it is something that it's not." The question was in connection to Graham's claims that the actor asked her to scratch his back instead of using a back scratcher or calling his then-wife Grace Hightower, who he said was sleeping at the time.
The trial also saw Robert's attorneys alleging that Graham stole 5 million airline miles from Robert's company account and transferred them to her own. His attorneys noted that Robert was "kind, reasonable, generous, and supportive" as an employer, adding, "Everything that happened to her was because of her actions- not because she is a woman."
Robert and Graham's legal battle, which also involves his company Canal Productions, started in 2019. He sued her for $3 million for allegedly raiding his company repository in addition to stealing airline miles. In her counter lawsuit, Graham is seeking $12 million in damages for severe emotional distress and reputational harm.
