Judge Orders Kevin Spacey to Pay $31 Million in ‘House of Cards’ Dispute

Kevin Spacey lost his attempt to overturn a $31 million arbitration award he was ordered to pay. house of cards Produced by MRC for sexual misconduct involving young crew members behind the scenes of the Netflix series.

Spacey was removed from the Netflix series during its sixth season after allegations emerged that he preyed on young people. The dispute was referred to arbitration, where the arbitrator found that the actor breached his contract by violating the anti-harassment policy and performing the services in a “professional” manner. The arbitrator also ruled that Spacey was not entitled to the remainder of the contract, even though it contained a “pay or play” clause, and that his violation caused the show’s sixth season to be cut and rewritten, costing Spacey eight. MRC – Amounts in expenses and income losses.

The actor’s legal team responded by contesting the award in open court, arguing that it was “filled with factual and legal errors, most importantly, his conclusion that the MRC had proved by a preponderance of evidence that Spacey had sexually assaulted five exes.” . [House of Cards] members of the group.” His lawyers argued that Spacey “participated in an on-set culture filled with sexual advances, jokes and innocent antics” but never harassed anyone, and when told that “his behavior made someone feel uncomfortable or objectionable, the inmate”.

On Thursday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mel Red Recana upheld the sentence and issued an interim ruling after hearing oral arguments.

“The arbitrator’s conclusion that the defendants’ violation caused the above damages is a factual conclusion that a court normally cannot review in error,” explains Recana in the decision, published below. “Furthermore, the court cannot review the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the award.” A panel of three arbitrators also upheld the arbitrator’s final decision under the JAMS Optional Arbitration Appeal Procedure.

Recana emphasized that generally the overturning of an arbitrator’s decision must be “totally irrational”, which is not the case here.

“We are pleased with the court’s decision,” said MRC attorney Michael Kump. THR.

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