'Matlock's David Del Rio & CBS Go To Arbitration Over Firing, Sex Assault Claims
Deadline • • general
Key Points:
- David Del Rio has initiated arbitration against CBS Studios to challenge the sexual assault allegations that led to his firing from the TV series Matlock, claiming the accusations are false and misleading and have damaged his career and reputation.
- Del Rio’s lawyer stated that new evidence, including real-time text communications, contradicts previous public accounts and was not fully considered before CBS took adverse employment action.
- The arbitration process, overseen by mediators from JAMS, aims to resolve the dispute privately and restore Del Rio’s professional standing.
- Del Rio was fired in October 2023 following an internal investigation into an alleged incident involving co-star Leah Lewis on the Matlock set; CBS Studios has maintained his departure from the series.
- After a
