De Niro denies abuse allegations in court: ‘It’s all nonsense!’

Robert De⁣ Niro Testifies in Lawsuit Brought by Former Assistant

Legendary actor Robert De Niro took the stand on Monday in a New York City courtroom, facing allegations of abusive behavior from his former personal assistant. The trial, brought by Graham Chase Robinson,‍ who worked for De Niro from 2008 to 2019, has attracted significant attention.

Accusations and Defenses

Robinson ​is seeking $12 million in ‌damages, claiming “severe emotional⁢ distress” and “reputational harm” after De Niro allegedly refused to provide references when she left her position. The court documents also revealed conflicts between Robinson and ​De Niro’s girlfriend, Tiffany Chen.

During his ⁤testimony, De Niro vehemently defended himself, becoming audibly agitated. He disputed incidents mentioned by Robinson’s lawyer, including one where he summoned her early in the morning after hurting his back. De Niro clarified that the incident​ occurred at ⁤1 ⁢or 2 ⁣a.m. ‌and he delayed contacting her until later. He also defended asking Robinson to oversee details of his townhouse purchase, emphasizing⁤ that he did not expect her to perform menial tasks.

Robinson’s attorney accused De⁢ Niro of making sexist remarks and engaging in inappropriate behavior, such as urinating during phone calls and interacting with her while barely dressed. However, the attorney clarified that their relationship was strictly platonic.

Voicemail Messages and Text Exchanges

Robinson’s legal team plans to introduce evidence, including profanity-laced voicemail messages and text ‍exchanges⁤ between Robinson and De Niro. ‌In one message, De Niro allegedly threatens to fire her and uses derogatory language. De Niro’s lawyer ⁢countered these claims, stating that his client was kind and generous but that Robinson always felt entitled to more.

Previous Lawsuit and Allegations

In 2019, De Niro’s company sued Robinson for ​workplace misconduct, accusing her of binge-watching Netflix during working hours and misusing De Niro’s frequent ‍flyer miles. She was also accused of making‍ unauthorized purchases using⁣ the ‌company’s credit card. These allegations further complicate the ongoing​ legal battle.

The trial is expected to⁢ last two weeks.

How has De Niro’s defense team ⁣responded to Robinson’s allegations, and what reasons do they provide for her termination?

2008 to‌ 2019, has gained significant media attention due‍ to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved.

Robinson, 36, has accused De Niro of subjecting her to a hostile work ‌environment, gender discrimination, ‍and verbal abuse during ⁣her tenure as his assistant. She claims that De ⁤Niro would frequently make⁢ inappropriate comments and engage in aggressive behavior towards her, causing her emotional distress and negatively impacting her professional growth.

In her opening statement,​ Robinson’s lawyer argued that De⁣ Niro used his power and influence to create a toxic work environment, stating, “Mr. De Niro’s abusive conduct ⁤was not just a ⁣lapse in judgment, but⁣ a ⁤deliberate and calculated effort ‌to demean and degrade Ms. Robinson.”

De Niro’s defense team, ‌however,⁣ maintains ⁣that⁢ Robinson’s allegations are baseless and attempts to tarnish ‍the actor’s reputation. They argue ‌that Robinson was​ a disgruntled employee who was terminated from her position for legitimate reasons, ⁣such as ‍an improper use of company funds.

During the ‍trial, De Niro, 77, took the witness stand to testify ⁣under oath, vehemently denying all‌ of Robinson’s allegations. Dressed in a dark suit and displaying a composed demeanor, the‌ Academy Award-winning actor rebuked the claims against him, stating that he has always treated his employees with respect and professionalism.

De Niro’s testimony ⁤shed light ⁢on his working relationship with Robinson, describing‌ her as a competent assistant ‍who performed her duties effectively. He denied ever​ making derogatory comments about her gender ‌and asserted that any disagreements or confrontations they had were ⁤part of the normal dynamics of a professional relationship.

Throughout his testimony, De Niro continuously emphasized his commitment to creating a healthy work ‍environment and his ⁤belief in treating all individuals, regardless of their gender, with ​dignity and respect. He expressed his disappointment at Robinson’s accusations, stating, “I take these allegations very seriously, and it is frustrating to have my reputation tarnished by ⁣false claims.”

This high-profile case raises important questions about‌ workplace dynamics, power imbalances, and‍ the treatment of employees. Regardless of the outcome, it serves ​as a reminder of the⁢ responsibility employers have to ensure a safe ‌and respectful working environment.

The trial,‌ which is expected to last for several weeks,⁣ has sparked public interest in the entertainment industry’s treatment⁢ of its workers. It brings attention to the need for transparency, accountability, ​and mechanisms to address workplace grievances effectively.

As the trial continues, the world awaits the verdict in this highly-publicized case. The outcome will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for ⁤both‍ Robert De Niro and the⁤ broader conversation surrounding workplace behavior and standards.

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