Robert De Niro's former PA who is suing him for $12 million claimed his angry outburst against her in the courtroom was an example of the mistreatment she had suffered at work.
Graham Chase Robinson is claiming damages for “severe emotional distress and reputational harm” against the double Oscar-winning actor.
Ms Robinson took to the stand for the first time at the Manhattan federal court and told the jury that De Niro’s “yelling” at her in front of them two days earlier typified his behaviour.
Asked by her lawyer how common it was for De Niro to lash out angrily, Robinson referred to the actor’s shouting of “Shame on you, Chase Robinson” as an example of the rage she had encountered in her job.
His outburst — for which he apologised to the judge — came as details of her allegations, including that he demanded she scratch his back, were heard in court.
De Niro, 80, is also suing his former aide as part of the bitter dispute claiming she stole millions of air miles from his company and is demanding the return of some of her $300,000-a-year salary.
Ms Robinson, who was the actor’s top personal assistant for more than a decade, went on to outline what she claims were unreasonable demands. She told the court she was expected to answer what became known as the “bat phone” at any hour when De Niro called and he would aggressively enquire about it if she did not.
Ms Robinson, 41, rejected previous testimony by De Niro that he only called her during “civilised hours”.
The former assistant said they talked by phone five to 10 times a day, with the first call usually taking place between 5.30am and 7.30am and the last generally between 8.30pm and 10pm.
She said he was so demanding about her being available that she always carried her phone when she went to the bathroom and avoided areas without mobile phone service.
Ms Robinson said De Niro would call her even if she told him she was not available, such as when she accompanied her mother to hospital or when she attended her grandmother’s funeral.
She told the court that she once took a friend’s daughter out for her 21st birthday and De Niro called her and asked her to bring him a martini from the restaurant.
She said she met him downstairs to give him the drink and he appeared in his pyjamas and slippers and then called her again at 1am.
De Niro is suing Ms Robinson for breach of loyalty and fiduciary duty, seeking $6m. The case continues.
