Robert De Niro’s production company is suing a former executive for $6 million after she was caught binge-watching Netflix on the job – and allegedly spending an ‘exorbitant’ amount of company money on luxury meals and transport.
Canal Productions claims that Chase Robinson spent a four-day period in January watching 55 hours of ‘Friends’, and charged $300 to the company’s credit card.
She is also said to have spent four days in March watching 20 episodes of ‘Arrested Development’ and 10 episodes of ‘Schitt’s Creek’, according to a lawsuit.
The lawsuit, obtained by DailyMail.com, also states that Robinson charged $300 to the company’s credit card on the same dates to pay for food from Paolo’s – an upmarket restaurant in Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
‘Watching shows on Netflix was not in any way part of or related to the duties and responsibilities of Robinson’s employment and, on information and belief, was done for her personal entertainment, amusement and pleasure at times when she was being paid to work,’ the suit states.
An American Icon: Robert De Niro’s Canal Prods. is suing former VP of Production & Finance Chase Robinson for $6 million, according to a suit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court Saturday; here De Niro is seen in May
So much to worry about: The star was seen leaving Manhattan Supreme Court after a divorce hearing on August 7 in New York; he is currently fighting for joint custody of the seven-year-old daughter he shares with his estranged wife Grace Hightower. The couple split in November 2018 after 21 years of marriage
Canal Prods claims that Chase Robinson spent a four-day period in January watching 55 hours of ‘Friends’
The suit also claims that Robinson ordered lunch from Caviar San Francisco and had dinner at Paola’s Restaurant, using the company’s card for the purchases.
Over a two-year period, Robinson is said to have made $12,696.65 in unauthorized charges at Paola’s. She is also said to have spent $8,923.20 at Dean and Deluca and Whole Foods. Robinson also reportedly spent $32,000 on taxis and Ubers.
Robinson is said to have brushed off the concerns in her April resignation email, calling the concerns ‘ridiculous.
She is said to have written a recommendation letter for herself, which De Niro refused to sign.
Canal Prods claims the once-trusted employee raided company coffers and even stole the 76-year-old actor’s frequent flyer miles.
Robinson is also said to have spent four days in March watching 20 episodes of ‘Arrested Development’ (pictured) and ‘Schitt’s Creek’
While watching the shows, (Schitt’s Creek pictured) Robinson is said to have ordered lavish meals on her company credit card
Chase Robinson became the Taxi Driver star’s personal assistant at Canal in 2008, eventually rising to Vice President of Production & Finance, for which she netted a $300,000 salary, according to the suit filed in the Manhattan Supreme Court on Saturday.
But Robinson abruptly quit on April 6 when ‘suspicions arose’ about her ‘honesty, integrity, work ethic and motivation,’ Page Six reported on Monday after seeing the papers.
A review of the books after she left found Robinson allegedly used the company’s American Express card to lash out tens of thousands of dollars on lavish trips, floral arrangements, iPhones, Uber rides, a Louis Vuitton handbag, dogsitters and pricey dinners.
She also allegedly used three million of De Niro’s frequent flyer miles for personal trips and vacations while transferring five million to her personal account — estimated to be valued at $125,000 in total.
Because of her senior role within the company, Robinson was able to approve her own expenses, including an alleged bogus three-day LA business trip in March 2018 that allegedly turned out to be for a friend’s birthday — racking up a $5,000 bill, according to the suit.
Tribeca Film Festival star: A review of the books after Chase quit allegedly showed she had used the company American Express card to lash out thousands of dollars on personal items; seen in April 2018
‘This lawsuit seeks economic damages from a disloyal employee who, despite being in a trusted position, repeatedly and methodically abused her position to misappropriate her employer’s funds and property for her personal gain,’ the filing reads.
The suit is reportedly seeking $6 million worth of damages, including repayment of all cash, goods and frequent flyer miles.
Meanwhile, the ever busy star has seven movies in the works.
He will next be seen in The Irishman, due out on September 27, about a mob hitman recalling his possible involvement with the slaying of union leader Jimmy Hoffa, played by Al Pacino, in July 1982.
Directed by Martin Scorsese, the all star cast also includes Anna Paquin, Harvey Keitel, Joe Pesci, Bobby Cannavale, Jack Huston and Ray Romano
After that his origins story for Batman’s nemesis, The Joker, is set to be released on October 4.
He also has another unnamed Scorsese drama with Meryl Streep and Sharon Stone plus The Comeback Trail with Emile Hirsch and Morgan Freeman in post-production.
De Niro also has Killers Of The Flower Moon and After Exile in pre-production and the just announced Untitled De Niro/Ramirez/Jakubowicz Project.
Big film: He will next be seen in The Irishman, due out on September 27, about a mob hitman recalling his possible involvement with the slaying of union leader Jimmy Hoffa, played by Al Pacino, in July 1982