Robert De Niro Demands Male Personal Trainer Not Be Deposed In $12 Million Court Battle With Female Ex-Assistant
Jan. 5 2022, Published 2:41 p.m. ET
Robert De Niro is scoffing at his female ex-assistant’s attempt to grill his longtime male personal trainer over his salary in court.
According to court documents obtained by Radar, the Casino actor is demanding a judge shut down the planned deposition requested by Graham Robinson.
De Niro and Robinson are facing off in dueling lawsuits. He struck first by filing a $6 million lawsuit accusing Robinson of using his frequent flyer miles for her own personal use, spending thousands on luxury hotels and dinners that weren’t work-related, and binge-watching Friends while on the clock.
Robinson fired back with her own lawsuit accusing the legendary actor of gender discrimination. She claims he forced her to endure a toxic workplace and even called her a “bi—h.” She is seeking $12 million in damages.
As part of the legal battle, Robinson is arguing De Niro paid his male personal trainer/employee Dan Harvey more money than her.
In a newly filed motion, De Niro says he plans to ask for sanctions against Robinson for refusing to drop the claim in the suit. The actor also wants the deposition of Harvey put on hold until the judge decides on sanctions.
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De Niro argues Robinson should have had the answers she seeks from Harvey before filing her lawsuit. He argues, “[Robinson] should not need or be permitted to obtain discovery to learn whether she and her “comparator” performed “equal work.”
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Robinson was first hired as De Niro’s personal assistant in 2008 but worked her way up to Vice President of Production and Finance at De Niro’s production company Canal Productions. She was being paid $300k a year when she resigned from her role.
The actor says Robinson worked with Harvey for 11 years and knew his job duties well.
De Niro’s lawyer writes, “Since 2017, [Robinson] was Canal’s Vice President of Production and Finance. Since 1983, when [Robinson] was one year old, Mr. Harvey has been Robert De Niro’s personal trainer. Plaintiff’s equal pay claims are based on the bizarre theory that she and he perform “equal work” within the meaning of these laws.”
The actor says Harvey has trained him on over 100 movies. His lawyer says De Niro’s production company charges a fee for Harvey’s services. “In other words, the cost of Mr. Harvey’s annual salary is offset by fees Canal receives from production companies during the filming of a motion picture,” the letter reads.
De Niro has yet to file his official motion for sanctions.