In an unexpected clash within a New York courtroom, revered actor Robert De Niro gave an irate performance, condemning his former executive assistant, Graham Chase Robinson. The heated exchange centered around allegations of abusive conduct by the celebrated film veteran, charged by Robinson, who is currently striving to yield millions in financial reparation.
As the drama unfolded, De Niro faced an onslaught of inflammatory, tabloid-esque suggestions, brought forth by attorney Andrew Macurdy. Representing Robinson, he accused De Niro of both petty and grand mistreatment during Robinson’s tenure as his personal assistant. Spanning over a decade, her servitude continued through tumultuous periods of 2008 until well into 2019.
Robinson, now 41, is demanding an astounding US$12 million in damages. She cites emotional turmoil and the severe blight on her reputation as the consequences of De Niro’s alleged abuse, causing her joblessness and an inability to move past the traumatic work experiences. When Robinson resigned, frustrated with harsh interchanges involving De Niro’s partner, she was making a substantial US$300,000 annually.
In an intriguing twist, the court is also analyzing evidence tied to a counter lawsuit led by De Niro against Robinson. He believes she committed theft, ranging from material possessions to a substantial amount of airline reward points. De Niro is actively pursuing the refund of Robinson’s salary for three years.
During the proceedings, Macurdy questioned De Niro about a particularly contentious act where he allegedly urinated while conversing with Robinson on the phone. De Niro dismissed the suggestion as nonsense, clearly exasperated. The attorney went a step further, stating De Niro derogatorily addressed Robinson to her face, to which De Niro fervently denied any verbal abuse.
As the tension reached its zenith, De Niro’s frustration consumed him as he shouted “Shame on you, Chase Robinson!”, before promptly composing himself and offering a swift apology. Yet, even with the volley of distressing queries, the actor insisted he never had formal rules for his employees and maintained they adhered to basic common sense protocol.
Despite articulated denial of the allegations, De Niro occasionally conceded certain behavioral aspects if collated differently. He definitively dismissed the suggestion of his suing Robinson with a view of gaining publicity. Indeed, De Niro, a two-time Oscar winner, is an industry veteran boasting a significant career.
However, he ultimately exuded a stern air of dismissal, indicating his disdain for the entire dispute. His current commitment is to Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” symbolizing his ongoing commitment to his illustrious acting career.
