Kevin Spacey to pay $31 million in dispute that sparked ‘House of Cards’ – The Hollywood Reporter
Kevin Spacey lost the $31 million arbitration award he was ordered to pay Dealer producer MRC for sexual misconduct involving young crew members behind the scenes of the Netflix series.
Spacey was dropped from the Netflix series for its sixth season after allegations surfaced that he preyed on young men. The dispute went to arbitration, where one arbitrator found that the actor had breached his contract by violating anti-harassment policies and not providing the service “in a professional manner.” The referee also found that Spacey was not entitled to be paid for the rest of his contract, even though it had a pay-or-play clause and his breach caused the show’s sixth season to be shortened. and rewrite and MRC cost is eight. – lost cost and revenue characteristics.
The actor’s legal team objected, challenging the award in open court, arguing that it “has numerous factual and legal flaws – essentially, their finding which the MRC has proven by proved that Spacey had sexually harassed 5 people before. [House of Cards] crew.” His lawyers argued Spacey “engaged in a popular culture at the set that was rife with sexual innuendos, jokes and innocent rides” but never harassed mess with anyone and when he is told “his behavior makes someone uncomfortable or in any way undesirable, he stops. ”
Judge Mel Red Recana of the Superior Court of Los Angeles on Thursday confirmed the award, passing a tentative ruling after hearing oral arguments.
“The Arbitrator’s finding that Defendant’s breach caused the aforementioned damages is a factual finding that courts are not usually able to look at for error,” Recana explained in its ruling posted on the side. below. “Furthermore, the court was unable to consider the completeness of the evidence supporting the arbitral award. A three-person arbitration panel also affirmed the Arbitrator’s Final Award in proceedings under the JAMS Optional Arbitration Appeal Procedure. “
Recana stressed that in general to be overturned the arbitrator’s decision must be “totally absurd”, which is not the case.
“We are pleased with the court’s decision,” said MRC attorney Michael Kump CHEAP.
MRC is a co-owner of The Hollywood Reporter through a joint venture with Penske Media Corporation called PMRC.
