The two-time Oscar winner, 80, faces allegations he subjected Graham Chase Robinson to foul-mouthed tirades and made her carry out unusual and demeaning tasks when she worked for him between 2008 and 2019.
But giving evidence in a New York City trial, De Niro grumpily rejected the claims against him and at one point exclaimed: “This is all nonsense.”
Ms Robinson was paid $300,000 (£246,000) a year to work as the actor’s vice president of production and finance, and says she was tasked for years with everything from decorating De Niro’s Christmas tree to taking him to the hospital when he fell down stairs.
She says she was made to scratch the actor’s back, button his shirts, and prod him awake when he was sleeping.
She is now suing him for $12 million (£9.8 million) in damages, claiming she suffered severe emotional distress and reputational harm.
This story is from the October 31, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
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This story is from the October 31, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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