Inside the explosive trial: Robert De Niro accused of gender-based discrimination against former assistant

In a Manhattan federal court showdown, Robert De Niro and his ex-assistant, Graham Chase Robinson, are engaged in a legal battle involving allegations of misconduct. Robinson contends that the actor from "Taxi Driver" subjected her to "years of gender discrimination and harassment," while De Niro's counterclaim points to financial misconduct, specifically the alleged misuse of company frequent-flier miles. 

Over the course of two weeks, jurors will hear arguments regarding these contrasting claims of gender-based and financial improprieties.

Allegations of Unjust Treatment

These trial proceedings could prove to be quite dishy. De Niro’s girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, gave birth to their baby in April 2023, and Robinson has contended that Chen had a role in her allegedly unjust treatment. Text messages between De Niro and Chen might be introduced at trial. 

A copy of an exchange between them suggests that Chen told De Niro that Robinson was romantically interested in him. Here’s a rundown of their legal dispute thus far, including De Niro’s first day on the stand.

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Career Ascent Amid Alleged Abusive Behavior

Robinson embarked on her journey as De Niro's executive assistant at Canal Productions in 2008, aspiring to build a successful career in the entertainment industry. Her career within the company saw her rise to the positions of director of production in 2011 and vice-president of production and finance in 2017.

 However, she contends that her career growth was overshadowed by what she characterizes as a backdrop of "abusive" behavior. Her allegations provide extensive accounts of her experiences.

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On the flip side, De Niro firmly believes that Robinson is the one in the wrong. His claims of misconduct against her came to light in August 2019 when his company sued her, alleging financial misdeeds. 

According to the company's suit, Robinson had charged "thousands of dollars in personal expenses" on the company's American Express cards, converted "millions" of Canal's frequent-flier miles for her own use, and treated the production venture like her personal piggy bank for "luxury items." The suit also accused her of spending her work hours indulging in extensive Netflix binge-watching.

Allegations of Retaliation

In Robinson's lawsuit, she says that De Niro's company slapped her with a lawsuit in August 2019 as a way to get back at her and stop her from making discrimination claims. She wanted De Niro to give her a recommendation for business school in July 2019.

Instead, his lawyers handed her a paper asking her to promise not to sue him, which got her worried. She told De Niro's lawyers that she needed her own lawyer. Then, De Niro's lawyer, who seemed to have more than one job, got tough and accused her of doing something wrong in a letter on July 11, 2019.

In the ongoing courtroom showdown between Robert De Niro and his ex-assistant, Graham Chase Robinson, things are heating up. It's a vivid illustration of how workplace conflicts can escalate, no matter who's involved.