Robert De Niro’s former personal assistant, Graham Chase Robinson, testified about her experiences working for the legendary actor. She accused De Niro of assigning her demeaning tasks, such as washing his bedsheets, and claimed that he called her a derogatory term while intoxicated.
Robinson, who worked for De Niro’s vanity company, Canal Productions, for 11 years, filed a $12 million federal discrimination claim against him, alleging that he was an abusive boss. In one instance, she recounted a phone call from De Niro where he berated her after an argument with his wife. “He screamed at me and then hung up and then called me back,” she testified. “He said, ‘You’re being a bitch.’ It was common.”
De Niro’s attorney questioned Robinson on why she never filed a formal harassment complaint, especially considering her role as the point person for similar issues involving other employees. Robinson explained that she feared retaliation from De Niro.
During the trial, Robinson admitted to holding onto computer equipment, gift cards, petty cash, and other items belonging to Canal Productions or De Niro for about a year. She returned the items after the company filed a lawsuit against her.
Following Robinson’s testimony, psychiatrist Dr. Robert L. Goldstein took the stand as an expert witness. He stated that Robinson suffered from insomnia, IBS, and GERD due to generalized anxiety disorder triggered by her perception of discrimination and retaliation at Canal Productions.
Robinson’s mother was scheduled to testify after the lunch break.
