Robert De Niro's year of joy and sorrow: New fatherhood and tragic loss

Robert De Niro has been held accountable by a New York court for cultivating a hostile work environment, which included shouting and making inappropriate comments towards his former assistant. The woman originally sought $12 million from the actor.

This year has served as a major emotional roller coaster for Robert De Niro. In May, he became a father for the seventh time, with his latest child being the offspring of his relationship with his much younger partner, Tiffany Chen. De Niro, in a recent interview after the birth of their child, insisted it wasn't unintended, as the pregnancy was planned.

Tragically, just two months later, the De Niro family suffered a horrifying loss. The actor's 19-year-old grandson, Leonardo De Niro Rodriguez, was discovered deceased in his New York apartment by a friend. As per TMZ's report, "drugs and related paraphernalia were discovered near his body". The mourning family held the final farewell at a Manhattan funeral home for the young man.

The actor's name has once again come into scrutiny. Only three weeks prior, a lawsuit was filed against De Niro and his company, Canal Productions, by his former assistant. The American woman sought $12 million in damages, claiming that De Niro made sexist remarks and assigned her to "stereotypically female duties, unrelated to her actual job position". She also alleged he fostered a toxic work environment.

Graham Chase Robinson stated that Robert De Niro and his partner, Tiffany Chen, "transformed a job she once loved into a nightmare". Her resignation was triggered by an "emotional and mental breakdown". She felt overwhelmed by her duties and asserted that she had "hit rock bottom". She also claimed that De Niro's actions led to frequent episodes of anxiety and depression.

"I don’t have a social life. I am humiliated, embarrassed, and I feel judged. I feel damaged, in some way, (...) I have lost my life. I lost my career. I lost my financial independence. I lost everything," she confessed, revealing that despite having applied for 638 jobs, she has remained unemployed for four years.

As a counter, the 80-year-old actor argued in court that responding to Robinson's requests, he increased her annual salary from close to $100,000 to $300,000. He also promoted her to the position of Vice President of Production and Finance, while her basic duties remained mostly unchanged. He admitted that he occasionally asked the former assistant to scratch his back and to assist him as needed, which included buying presents for his children. Yet, the actor saw nothing wrong with his behavior.

The actor also denied ever shouting at her, claiming that her accusations were insignificant. At most, he had raised his voice in her presence, but never disrespected her. He then addressed her in court: "Be ashamed, Chase Robinson!", the AP reported from the courtroom.

In Thursday's hearing, the New York jury validated Robinson's claims. Although De Niro was not personally held accountable for the abuses, his firm was directed to make two payments totaling to more than $1.2 million. The actor's representatives are planning to challenge the verdict, seeking a reduction in the fine.