Entertainment

Leaked Sony Emails: ‘American Hustle’ Director Felt Up His Relative

Kaitlan Collins Contributor
Font Size:

The leaked Sony emails scandal turned even uglier Monday as more messages between Hollywood producers were discovered, including ones where top executives accuse “American Hustle” director David O. Russell of feeling up his “transgender niece[‘]s” breasts.

The hackers are going by the name “Guardians of Peace,” and got the emails from Sony servers. In emails exchanged between Columbia Pictures executive Michael De Luca and co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Amy Pascal, the two criticize Oscar-nominated Russell for his bad attitude and his “broken relationship” with the company.

David O'Russell felt up niece

O’Russell and Jennifer Lawrence, who starred in his film ‘American Hustle.’ (Photo: Getty Images)

“American Hustle” was nominated for 10 Oscars but took home none, which apparently warranted this conversation between Pascal and De Luca:

Pascal: While your [sic] at it go fix our relationship with David o.

De Luca: Is it broken? You guys got him a fat gross and oscar noms last time out!”

Pascal: “BUT WE DIDNT WIN A D [sic] YOU KNOW HIM.

And then De Luca replied with this:

“David’s a loon, talented but geez once I saw him bring Sally Field to a party and reduce her to tears. Plus remember when he got in trouble for feeling up his transgender nieces [sic] boobs?”

De Luca is referring to the alleged incident when Russell was at a Florida gym with his transgender nephew Nicholas Peloquin when the 19-year-old claims Russell offered “to help…with ab exercises” and slipped his hand under his shirt, The Smoking Gun reports.

Russell addressed the event to the Chicago Tribune.

“For his part, Russell confirms that the incident happened, but told police that Peloquin was ‘acting very provocative toward him’ and invited him to feel her breasts. He also admitted to being ‘curious about the breast enhancement.’” 

The case was closed with no charges filed because there were no police witnesses.

The Sony leak also revealed emails between Pascal and Hollywood producer Scott Rudin making racist jokes about which films starring black actors Barack Obama liked most. (RELATED: Sony Executives Mock Obama Over ‘Django Unchained’)