Latest news with #hostileworkenvironment
News.com.au
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Kevin Costner sued by stunt performer over ‘violent unscripted' rape scene in Horizon sequel
Kevin Costner has been slapped with a lawsuit from a stunt performer who had worked on his film Horizon: an American Saga — Chapter Two. Devyn LaBella filed a complaint against the 70-year-old actor and the production companies behind the 2024 film, alleging sexual discrimination, harassment, and the creation of a hostile work environment, according to a legal filing obtained by The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday. In legal documents, the 34-year-old claimed that she was 'the victim of a violent unscripted, unscheduled rape scene' which she noted was directed by Costner on May 2, 2023. Costner's legal team has since shut down the claims, saying LaBella's allegations have 'absolutely no merit.' 'Kevin Costner always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously,' Costner's lawyer, Marty Singer, told The Post in a statement. 'However, this claim by Devyn LaBella has absolutely no merit, and it is completely contradicted by her own actions — and the facts.' Costner's legal team also shared screenshots of text messages allegedly sent by LaBella following a cast dinner that took place after a rehearsal of the scene in question in May 2023. 'She [LaBella] was in good spirits and made no complaints to them,' Singer told the outlet. 'She continued to work on the movie for a few more weeks until her wrap date, and she took the stunt co-ordinator to a thankyou dinner.' 'She also sent him a cordial thank you text illustrated with happy heart emojis (copy attached),' he added. In her filing, LaBella said she 'experienced shock, embarrassment and humiliation while attempting to process the situation,' in the days that followed after filming. She further claimed that she was 'not hired back to continue her role or at all as a stunt double for Horizon 3, which began filming in early 2024.' In her personal statement to The Hollywood Reporter, LaBella said she was 'left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism' following the scene. 'What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry,' she told the outlet. The Western film franchise, which also stars Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Luke Wilson and Giovanni Ribisi, saw appalling box office numbers when it premiered in June 2024. Like its predecessor, Horizon: an American Saga — Chapter Two got mostly negative reviews from critics after its release.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Lawsuit filed against Augusta County Sheriff Donald Smith seeks $5.3 million
A former Augusta County deputy is suing Sheriff Donald Smith in federal court for $5.35 million amid allegations he created a hostile work environment, violated the former employee's constitutional rights and sent him numerous text messages, some of which were allegedly sexually charged. The lawsuit was filed by Dennis B. Reynolds, who worked at the Augusta County Sheriff's Office as a deputy and K-9 handler from 2016 to 2023. "The violations are especially concerning because they were committed by an elected Sheriff who swore an oath to uphold the law but instead weaponized his official authority to retaliate against a subordinate seeking legally protected accommodation," the lawsuit states. Smith said he could not comment on the lawsuit. During Reynolds' time at the sheriff's office, the lawsuit says he and Smith exchanged more than 1,100 texts over 107 conversations, with almost 70 percent of them initiated by Smith. "The volume and content of these messages demonstrates the unusual nature of this supervisor-subordinate relationship," says the lawsuit, which also claims Smith "consistently sought personal rather than professional contact with Plaintiff." According to the lawsuit, in one of the texts, Smith is alleged to have commented on the size of Reynolds' genitalia, and in others he reportedly stated "I love you and just want you to be alright" and "You know I support whatever makes you happy … But I do miss you when I can't talk to you." One text reportedly showed that Smith invited Reynolds to stay at his Churchville home, and in another the sheriff allegedly told him he could "come cuddle," the lawsuit says. "Plaintiff was afraid to report this conduct because he feared losing his position or his K-9 partner," the lawsuit states. The texts would come into question after a vehicle crash involving Reynolds' brother, according to the lawsuit. Following the December 2021 accident in Augusta County, Reynolds reached out to the Emergency Communications Center and told them his brother would handle the accident, and requested that Virginia State Police not be notified. But after Reynolds' brother determined there was more damage to the vehicle than originally thought, according to the lawsuit, Reynolds contacted state police to report the crash. But in January 2022 during an internal investigation by the Augusta County Sheriff's Office, a trooper learned Reynolds had instructed the ECC not to report the incident, prompting a state police investigation into possible obstruction, the lawsuit says. During the state police investigation, which cleared Reynolds of wrongdoing, the lawsuit states, a search warrant for his phone was obtained. The lawsuit alleges Smith got wind of the search warrant and instructed Reynolds to delete any communications concerning the crash. "Defendant Smith further ordered Plaintiff to delete ALL text messages between Defendant and Plaintiff, going beyond just the accident-related communications and extending to their entire message history," the lawsuit states. Despite Reynolds being cleared, the investigation "created significant stress and anxiety," according to the lawsuit, negatively impacting his mental health. "Moreover, Defendant Smith's directive to delete evidence demonstrated a willingness to obstruct an official investigation and placed Plaintiff at risk of potential criminal liability, creating a profound ethical conflict in their professional relationship," the lawsuit states. The lawsuit claims Smith was aware of Reynolds' "mental clarity" issues as early as March 2020, when the sheriff signed an Optima Health Referral. In early 2023, Reynolds was diagnosed with a tumor on his spine. Ultimately, the tumor was not cancerous but Reynolds continued to experience physical pain as well as heightened anxiety, depression, and other mental health symptoms, the lawsuit states. More: Waynesboro drug dealer gets 7 years tacked onto sentence as more prison time looms By May 2023, Reynolds' mental health condition had intensified to the point where he required accommodations, including time off work to address his health and wellbeing. After requesting additional time off, the lawsuit states he was denied due to staffing needs, reportedly a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Eventually, Reynolds refused to sign any disciplinary letters and, after speaking with Smith, the lawsuit says he was immediately placed on suspension, turning in his badge, firearm and vehicle. In July 2023, the lawsuit says Reynolds was reportedly issued an official termination letter by Smith that listed the reason for separation as "resigned." That same day, Smith is said to have submitted a notification of eligibility for decertification to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. But in January 2024, Reynolds' certification as a law enforcement officer was reinstated on appeal, the lawsuit says. However, when Reynolds sought employment at the Nelson County Sheriff's Office, the lawsuit says he wasn't hired after being told of a "Brady letter" provided by the Augusta County Sheriff's Office. A Brady letter is a notice sent to law enforcement agencies concerning credibility issues. "Despite the Criminal Justice Services Board's ruling that Plaintiff had not lied and its decision to reinstate his certification, Defendant Smith continued the delivery of 'Brady Letters' to potential employers," the lawsuit states. In Reynolds' eight count civil lawsuit, he cites disability discrimination, defamation, First Amendment retaliation, a hostile work environment, and Family Medical Leave Act interference and retaliation. He is seeking $5 million in damages and $350,000 in punitive damages. Reynolds is being represented by attorney Elliot M. Harding of Charlottesville. The lawsuit was filed May 14 in the United States District Court in Harrisonburg. More: Trice retiring as superintendent of Virginia School for The Deaf and the Blind Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Former deputy sues Augusta County sheriff for $5.3 million
Sky News
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Motown legend Smokey Robinson accused in lawsuit of 'multiple sex assaults' on four women who worked for him as housekeepers
Four anonymous former housekeepers for Motown legend Smokey Robinson have claimed in a lawsuit he allegedly carried out multiple sexual assaults on them while they worked for him. The alleged attacks are said to have taken place at the singer's Los Angeles home between 2007 and 2024, according to the women, who are seeking at least $50m (£37m) in damages in a civil case filed in the city. They also accuse him, in the suit, of creating a hostile work environment, forcing them to work illegally long hours and failing to pay what they were owed. News agencies in the US have been unable to independently verify the allegations and Robinson has been approached for comment. The claimants say that Robinson, 85, would wait until he was alone with them in the house before carrying out the alleged attacks, despite their objections. All the women, who have withheld their names for privacy reasons, eventually resigned over the assaults, the lawsuit claims, though in some cases it took several years. According to the suit, they feared coming forward over fears of retaliation, public shame and possible effects on their immigration status. The claim further states that Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, enabled his behaviour. It also says she was responsible for creating a hostile work environment and shouted at them and used ethnic insults. One woman suffered at least 20 assaults from 2012 until 2024, the lawsuit alleges, while another who worked for the couple from 2014 until 2020 was said to have been assaulted at least 23 times. A different woman whose claims are made in the suit accused Robinson of assaulting her seven times, including at least one rape, in the years she worked for them. The fourth woman claimed similar experiences to the other women but did not say how many times she was allegedly assaulted during the 18 years she worked for Robinson. She also acted as Frances Robinson's personal assistant, hairdresser and cook, she said. The claim for damages is based on sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence and other allegations. Three of the accusers appeared in person at a news conference in the city with their lawyers, wearing masks, while a fourth appeared remotely. None spoke. One of the women's lawyers said they would welcome a criminal investigation but the women had not filed police reports yet, as they had been held back by the same fears that kept them from coming forward initially. Robinson, a member of both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, was among the biggest hitmakers of the 1960s - both with his group The Miracles and as a solo artist, with songs including The Tears Of A Clown and The Tracks Of My Tears. He was a central part of the Motown Records music machine in his hometown of Detroit as an artist, producer and songwriter for other artists.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Smokey Robinson, 85, is accused of SEXUAL BATTERY by former workers in bombshell lawsuit
Iconic singer Smokey Robinson has been hit with a slew of sickening allegations including sexual battery and false imprisonment in a bombshell lawsuit from his former employees. Robinson, 85, is alleged to have created a hostile work environment, with his wife Frances Robinson also named in the lawsuit. Details of the alleged misconduct is not yet clear, with a press conference from the plaintiff's attorneys set for Tuesday afternoon, per KTLA.
