David Del Rio seeks arbitration with CBS Studios over 'Matlock' firing and assault allegations

David Del Rio is not accepting his unexpected dismissal last year from CBS’ Matlock due to sexual assault allegations quietly.

The actor "has initiated arbitration against CBS Studios to contest inaccurate and misleading claims that caused significant damage to his career and reputation," Del Rio’s attorney Shawn Holley stated today regarding the private proceedings with the Matlock production company.

“At the arbitration, Mr. Del Rio will present contemporaneous text messages and evidence that directly dispute prior public descriptions of the interaction in question,” the Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert partner mentioned. 

“This evidence was not thoroughly considered before the negative employment action was enacted. Mr. Del Rio is eager to resolve this issue through the proper legal avenues and believes that a comprehensive evidentiary review will reveal the truth and restore his professional standing.”

Initiated today, the arbitration will be conducted by mediators from JAMS.

CBS Studios chose not to comment on the arbitration process or the progress of the investigations concerning Del Rio. Nevertheless, they affirmed that Del Rio “is no longer part of the series.”

Del Rio was terminated in October of the previous year following an incident on September 26 involving fellow Matlock series regular Leah Lewis. 

An account of the event, which reportedly took place in Lewis’ trailer on the Matlock set, prompted an internal investigation. 

On the day the alleged assault was reported and the probe commenced, Del Rio was dismissed and physically escorted off the Paramount lot where the series led by Kathy Bates is filmed.

Before today’s action by Del Rio, the actor was involved in an investigation by the Paramount-owned CBS Studios into the alleged events on the show last autumn.

The latest meeting, part of an additional investigation, featured Del Rio, with his newly appointed lawyer Holley, being reinterviewed around Thanksgiving by Matlock producer CBS Studios. 

After this secondary stage of the investigation, CBS Studios confirmed their decision that Del Rio was off Matlock and his character would be removed from the show promptly.