Robert DeNiro, the renowned Oscar-winning actor, took the stand at his civil trial in an NYC courtroom against his former assistant, Graham Chase Robinson. However, his testimony was far from smooth, filled with heated exchanges and grumpy remarks.
Key Takeaway
Robert DeNiro gave grumpy testimony during his civil trial against his former assistant, Graham Chase Robinson. He expressed frustration, defended his relationship, and denied accusations of exploitation. The courtroom drama centers around a $6 million lawsuit filed against Robinson after her resignation from Canal Productions, where she worked as DeNiro’s personal assistant.
DeNiro’s Frustration Evident
Throughout the proceedings, Robert DeNiro appeared visibly grumpy, struggling to contain his anger. At one point, he even exclaimed, “This is all nonsense!” Clearly, the actor’s frustration was bubbling up, despite his attempts to keep it in check.
Dependency on His Assistant
During his testimony, DeNiro revealed that he had previously relied heavily on Graham Chase Robinson. She was his emergency contact and entrusted with the responsibility of purchasing greeting cards for his children. However, when asked if she was a diligent worker, DeNiro sarcastically replied, “Not after everything I’m going through now.”
Defending His Relationship
DeNiro vehemently defended his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, against allegations made by Robinson. The actor stated that they make decisions together, emphasizing their partnership. This defense came after Robinson accused her of having romantic feelings for DeNiro and engaging in clashes with Chen.
A Hospitalization Incident
A heated moment occurred when Robinson’s lawyer implied that DeNiro inconvenienced his assistant one morning in 2017 when he needed to be taken to the hospital. DeNiro, clearly exasperated, explained that he had fallen down the stairs and had cracked his back. He justified not immediately contacting Robinson, stating that he had waited several hours until a more reasonable time.
Denying Exploitation Allegations
The most significant confrontation arose when DeNiro defended his treatment of Robinson after purchasing a five-bedroom townhouse in Manhattan. He argued that he did not expect her to perform menial tasks such as floor scraping and mopping. According to DeNiro, the accusations were baseless and amounted to “nonsense!”
Robinson, who had been with the actor from 2008 to 2019, eventually rose to the position of Vice President for Production and Finance at Canal. In response to the lawsuit, she filed a $12 million countersuit, claiming violation of New York’s Human Rights Law. Robinson alleged that DeNiro inflicted emotional distress, damaged her reputation, and refused to provide a reference for future employment.
