David Del Rio Hits Back at CBS Over ‘Matlock’ Firing – Lawyer Says He Has Bombshell Texts
What To Know
- David Del Rio has initiated arbitration against CBS Studios to contest the sexual allegation and his dismissal.
- Del Rio and his attorney claim to possess evidence, including text messages, that contradicts public accounts of the incident.
- Despite Del Rio’s cooperation and submission of supporting evidence, CBS upheld its decision to terminate him.
Matlock actor David Del Rio has initiated arbitration against CBS Studios after he was fired from the show following an allegation of sexual assault from his costar, Leah Lewis.
“David Del Rio has initiated arbitration against CBS Studios to address false and misleading allegations that caused substantial professional and reputational harm,” Shawn Holley, Del Rio’s high-profile attorney, told TVInsider in a statement on Wednesday (March 4).
“At the arbitration, Mr. Del Rio will present real-time text communications and evidence that directly contradicts prior public characterizations of the interaction at issue,” the statement continued. “This evidence was not fully considered before adverse employment action was taken.”
Holley’s statement concluded, “Mr. Del Rio looks forward to resolving this matter through the appropriate legal forum and has faith that a full evidentiary review will establish the truth and restore his professional reputation.”
Del Rio, who played lawyer Billy Martinez on Matlock, was accused of sexual assault Lewis. CBS Studios investigated the alleged incident, which Lewis reported on October 2 and said took place on September 26. Following an internal investigation, Del Rio was fired and escorted off the Matlock set.
CBS reopened the investigation in December, interviewing more parties, including Del Rio and his lawyer, Holley. The network stood by its original decision to dismiss Del Rio.
According to TMZ sources, Del Rio “fully cooperated” with both the initial investigation and the reopened investigation, as well as submitted “documentary evidence supporting his position.” The sources also said CBS re-characterized the claims from “sexual assault to unwelcome sexual conduct” following the investigation.
Del Rio and his attorney, who has represented the likes of Kim Kardashian, Justin Bieber, and Lindsay Lohan, are expected to present “additional evidence,” including text message exchanges, during the arbitration.
Lewis first spoke out about the incident in an October 10 Instagram post, in which she shared a photo of herself and her mom. “Mom is here. We’re moving forward in love and strength,” she wrote. “I’m in good hands. Thank you to everybody for any kind of support and care. Truly, we’re moving forward in strength. Key word, strength. Let that be the takeaway.”
Del Rio’s wife, actress Katherine Del Rio, responded to Lewis’ post at the time. In an Instagram Story, Katherine shared a close-up of Lewis’ face, writing over it, “This is the most disturbing human being I have ever met.”
She also shared a photo with her own mother, writing, “Mom is here. We are moving forward in love and strength after what Leah did to our family. Thank you all for the love and support!”
Filming on the second season of Matlock took a pre-scheduled hiatus following Del Rio’s dismissal and resumed after Thanksgiving. The show returned on February 26, with Del Rio’s character written out the series.
Matlock, Thursdays, 9/8c, CBS
Conversation22 Comments
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B
Maybe she is jealous of him because his character is most like than her character.
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T
You are so right! I liked his character. Her character is obnoxious and poorly acted. I could easily be ok with hers being gone. CBS stinks now.
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M
Bring. Billy back !!! I believe him…throw her to the curb,,,, a no talent
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B
I believe him. She was denied and now upset but saying this doesn’t affect the show. I quit watching it. This drug thing has run its course. Let’s move on.
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T
CBS has become something way different than the Tiffany Co. They sl
were always the best-not any more. They have hog tied 60 Min, cancelled Colbert, dumbed down the morning show all to please the fat orange Overlord. I use to only watch CBS, now my husband and I have weened our way off. Georgie and Mandy stinks by the way. You have even destroyed the CBS Evening News. It is shameful.
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N
Thanks for your support!😂
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B
Wow. You really got TDS over truth. CBS certainly omits many things in their programming to appease liberals. Like the hit piece CBS did last week on water issues in West Virginia. Somthing thats been a generational issue for over 50 years and well documented. 60 minutes left omitted facts to make it look a current political issue. I lost respect for lester Holt years ago. He sold his soul. Colbert? Never been interested. CBS morning show? Was never top show in that time slot. Glad orange man more powerful than other colors !!! Maybe your box of crayons neefs to include more colors 😂
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M
You whine like your orange daddy!
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I
At least we know our Dad.
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M
Bring Billy back !!! Throw her to the curb…. A no talent !!
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I
Victims of assault usually do not go on social media so quickly or am I wrong? They are trying to recover from what happened to them. I do not know if she was assaulted, it just seems out of a victim's character. All I can say is that there is one victim. I hope the truth is able to be known.
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C
Never like Lewis or the character that she plays the character needs to be written off she's just shallow and unconcerning I think she was just jealous because his role was more lucrative and Shining than hers. I think until the evidence comes in that he has found guilty that nothing should have been done he can come back now and see the show
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E
Let me guess: he wanted to sex with her… they were having an affair and she got upset she couldn’t go further. Something isn’t right here. There’s more to the story.
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D
Are you serious...this has to be a joke of some sort...I don't believe it. All I'll say is...KARMA is real.
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D
I hope he is exonerated and rehired!
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W
CBS stinks for more reasons than that.
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T
Yes!
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G
CBS doesn't do anything to help Trump. They obviously have some no talent people working for them. Colbert isn't funny, he never was. And now he just has a one sided show so nobody but you watches it. Thats why he is fired. Don't be a useful idiot. Look that up in "Rules for Radicals".
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M
Her character is SOOO annoying! I wish they’d dump her. She is a horrible actress. The token Asian; there are much better Asian actresses out there.
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C
They had 2 investigations. Apparently he didn't prove himself innocent.
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T
In today's world of social media, that is no longer the case.
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C
If they had “additional evidence”, why didn't they present it during the first 2 investigations??
I love Sarah. She's a great character and Leah does a great job portraying her. While Sarah and Billy were fun together, she's the one with the personality & she's the one who makes them interesting to watch, not him.
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