‘Matlock’s David Del Rio & CBS Go To Arbitration Over Firing, Sex Assault Claims

David Del Rio isn’t taking his sudden firing last year from CBS’ Matlock over sexual assault allegations without a fight.

The actor “has initiated arbitration against CBS Studios to address false and misleading allegations that caused substantial professional and reputational harm,” Del Rio’s lawyer Shawn Holley said today of the behind closed door process with the Matlock producer.

“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 Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert partner added. “This evidence was not fully considered before adverse employment action was taken. 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.”

Instigated today, the arbitration will be overseen by mediators from JAMS.

CBS Studios declined to comment, on the arbitration move or the status of the investigations over Del Rio. However, they did reiterate that Del Rio “has departed the series.” 

Del Rio was fired in October last year after alleged September 26 incident involved fellow Matlock series regular Leah Lewis. A report of the incident, which we hear happened in Lewis’ trailer on the Matlock set, started an internal investigation. The same day the alleged assault was reported and the probe started, Del Rio was canned and personally escorted off the Paramount lot where the Kathy Bates-led series films.

Before today’s move by Del Rio, the actor participated in an investigation by the Paramount owned CBS Studios into what allegedly occurred on the show last fall.

The most recent such sit-down, part of a supplemental investigation, saw Del Rio, accompanied by newly hired lawyer Holley, reinterviewed around Thanksgiving by Matlock producer CBS Studios. Following the secondary stage of the investigation, CBS Studios stuck by their decision that Del Rio was off Matlock and his character written out of the show ASAP.

Also as a result of the further probe, the claims of sexual assault against the married Del Rio were revamped to “unwanted sexual conduct,” I hear. CBS Studios had no comment on that change when contacted by Deadline.