New lawsuit alleges Robert De Niro subjected female employee to ‘creepy and abusive’ behaviour

A furious voicemail message from one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Robert De Niro, has been leaked amid his legal battle with a former staffer.

An explosive new lawsuit alleges that Hollywood legend Robert De Niro routinely subjected his longtime employee to creepy and abusive behaviour, including leaving her voicemails threatening “you’re f—ing history”.

The New York Post reports that Graham Chase Robinson says for years she was the victim of “gratuitous unwanted physical contact” from the Oscar winner, who also hurled “sexually-charged comments to her” when she worked at his production company, Canal Productions Inc.

Robert De Niro speaks onstage during the 72nd Annual Tony Awards in 2018. Picture: Getty

Graham Chase Robinson has accused Robert De Niro of abusive behaviour. Picture: Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP. via AP

Ms Robinson’s allegations against the Taxi Driver star are levied in a lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court for gender discrimination and wage violations.

Mr De Niro and his production company sued Ms Robinson in August, accusing her of swiping cash and frequent flyer miles and abruptly quitting. But she claims that suit was brought in retaliation — after she had threatened to sue the actor.

Robert De Niro in the Martin Scorsese film Taxi Driver. Picture: Supplied

“De Niro was enraged at the prospect of Ms. Robinson bringing a lawsuit challenging his behaviour,” Ms Robinson’s complaint says. “So, he retaliated and struck first.”

Ms Robinson’s suit says: “Robert De Niro is someone who has clung to old mores. He does not accept the idea that men should treat women as equals,” the suit says.

MORE NEWS

Leifer held in jail over fears she may ‘flee’

Wall Street suffers more losses

“He does not care that gender discrimination in the workplace violates the law. Ms Robinson is a casualty of this attitude.”

She claims Mr De Niro treated her as his “office wife” and made her do “stereotypically female duties, like housework” while underpaying her and denying her overtime.

Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro during the making of Taxi Driver in 1976. Picture: Sikelia Productions

The actor also allegedly “urinated during telephone calls” with Ms Robinson and would greet her wearing only his “pyjamas or a bathrobe,” the suit says.

“Among other things, De Niro would direct Ms. Robinson to scratch his back, button his ties and prod him awake when he was in bed,” the complaint adds. “De Niro also stood idly by while his friend slapped Ms Robinson on her buttocks.”

Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller in the film Little Fockers. Picture: Supplied

The suit contains a link to a recording of a scathing voicemail Mr De Niro allegedly left Ms Robinson when she didn’t pick up his call.

“You f–ing don’t answer my calls? How dare you! You’re about to be fired. You’re f–ing history,” he allegedly says.

Representatives for Mr De Niro nor Canal Productions immediately returned messages.

De Niro at a press conference last month. Picture: Getty

This story originally appeared in the New York Post and is reprinted here with permission.

Originally published as New lawsuit alleges Robert De Niro subjected female employee to ‘creepy and abusive’ behaviour