Robert De Niro Denies Claims in Discrimination Trial With Former Assistant

Hollywood icon Robert De Niro vehemently dismissed allegations of abusive behaviour made by his former personal assistant, Graham Chase Robinson, as he testified in a New York City court on Monday (October 30, 2023).

Robinson, who previously worked for De Niro and eventually ascended to the position of Vice President of Production and Finance at his production company Canal Productions before resigning, is suing the esteemed actor for $12 million, citing gender discrimination.

The court documents detailed Robinson’s claims, stating that De Niro created a hostile work environment, using inappropriate language, and acting abusively and aggressively towards her. However, De Niro reacted vehemently to the allegations, exclaiming, “This is all nonsense!”

Robinson’s tenure with De Niro’s company spanned from 2008 to 2019, during which she held various responsibilities, ranging from personal tasks like decorating the actor’s Christmas tree to assisting in more serious matters like escorting him to the hospital after an accident.

She further alleged that De Niro refused to provide her with a reference upon her resignation due to alleged disagreements with his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen.

During the court proceedings, De Niro seemed to affirm Robinson’s job description, acknowledging that she was his emergency contact and responsible for tasks such as selecting greeting cards for his children. However, when asked about her work ethic, De Niro responded, “Not after everything I’m going through now.”

The hearing saw De Niro having emotional outbursts on two occasions, particularly when addressing claims related to his girlfriend, Chen, and his fall in 2017. He insisted on making decisions jointly with Chen and also corrected the narrative surrounding the incident involving his fall.

Additionally, messages between De Niro and Chen, which highlighted concerns about Robinson’s perceived closeness to the actor, were presented to the jury. De Niro admitted that there may have been a sense of intimacy as perceived by Robinson.

Robinson’s attorney emphasized her client’s unemployment since leaving the position and her fear of leaving her residence. He also refuted claims that Robinson had any romantic interest in De Niro and countered allegations that Chen’s jealousy was the root cause of the issues.

De Niro’s attorney countered by painting Robinson as demanding, condescending, and manipulative, alleging that she perceived herself as a victim. The ongoing trial will hear from other Canal Productions employees, with the company counter-suing Robinson.

Moreover, De Niro has filed a lawsuit against Robinson for the alleged misappropriation of frequent-flyer miles and for watching television during working hours.