Graham Chase Robinson on Oct. 30, 2023; Robert De Niro on Oct. 30, 2023.Photo:David Dee Delgado/Getty

Graham Chase Robinson departs federal court on October 30, 2023 in New York City; Actor Robert De Niro departs federal court on October 30, 2023 in New York City

David Dee Delgado/Getty

Robert De Nirotestified about asking his former assistant, who is now suing him for gender-based discrimination, to scratch his back while she worked for him.

Inside the New York City federal courthouse Tuesday, the Oscar winner, 80, continued on the stand, at one pointadmitting, “Yeah, fine, I berated her,“referring to Graham Chase Robinson, 41.

On Monday during opening arguments, Robinson’s attorney Brent Hannafan mentioned instances of De Niro insisting Robinson scratch his back and when she would decline he’d allegedly say, “I like the way you do it.”

Courtroom sketch of Robert De Niro testifying.Elizabeth Williams via AP

Robert De Niro

Elizabeth Williams via AP

When asked about this Tuesday, De Niro said on the stand it happened maybe “twice.” He added, “You got me! I’m saying this is nonsense,” and said of the back-scratching requests: “It was never done with any disrespect.”

“Every little thing she’s trying to get me on is nonsense! Shame on you, Chase Robinson,” De Niro said on the stand, soon apologizing for the courtroom outburst.

Robert De Niro arriving at court on Oct. 30, 2023.David Dee Delgado/Getty

Actor Robert De Niro arrives at federal court on October 30, 2023 in New York City. De Niro sued his former assistant Graham Chase Robinson for stealing millions of frequent-flyer miles and binge-watching “Friends” and Netflix on the job. Robinson then counter-sued for $12 million, alleging verbal harassment and discrimination.

She responded with a$12 million countersuit, alleging that De Niro and Canal Productions violated the New York City Human Rights Law. Robinson claimed De Niro directed sexist remarks at her and gave her “stereotypically female job duties that were inconsistent with her job title.”

Graham Chase Robinson leaving court on Oct. 30, 2023.David Dee Delgado/Getty

Graham Chase Robinson departs federal court on October 30, 2023 in New York City

Robinson has not yet taken the stand. As the civil trial continues, alleged emails and text exchanges between De Niro and hisgirlfriend Tiffany Chenare expected to be shown in court. The couplewelcomed a daughter together,Gia Virginia Chen De Niro, his seventh child, in May.

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Robert De Niro and his girlfriend Tiffany Chen arrive to the screening of “Kiss the Future” during the opening night of the Tribeca Film Festival at OKX Theater

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In earlier testimony, De Niro said Chen “might have been saying” disrespectful things about Robinson. “But she was annoyed because Robinson was disrespectful to her. Period. And that is unacceptable,” theKillers of the Flower Moonactor said.

De Niro’s attorney Rich Schoenstein said in their opening remarks on Monday that Robinson, who was hired to help the actor professionally and personally back in 2008, “is not the hero of this story.” His side painted her as difficult to work with, adding, “It has been significantly better since the day she left.”

source: people.com