Kevin Spacey’s reportedly been ordered to pay tens of millions of dollars for a breach in his “House of Cards” contract following sexual misconduct allegations behind the scenes.
The 62-year-old actor’s two-year legal battle has ended after an arbitrator ruled Spacey must pay “HOC” producers MRC nearly $31 million for failing to provide services “in a professional manner” and “consistent with [MRC’s] reasonable directions, practices and policies,” the Hollywood Reporter noted in a piece published Monday. (RELATED: Report: Kevin Spacey Facing 3 More Sexual Assault Allegations In London)
The outlet noted that paperwork for the arbitration award was filed by the production company in Los Angeles Superior Court Monday. (RELATED: ‘House Of Cards’ Production Resumes – With Two New Additions)
Kevin Spacey loses arbitration with a ‘House of Cards’ production company to the tune of $31 million https://t.co/5DVtRKw6k4
— UPROXX (@UPROXX) November 22, 2021
Spacey famously played the leading role of Frank Underwood on the hit political Netflix series and was cut from the show after MRC conducted an internal investigation into alleged sexual harassment allegations, which included allegedly groping a production assistant.
The actor’s contract was terminated and the dispute went to JAMS who found that not only had Spacey alleged actions violated its anti-harassment policies but MRC suffered massive financial loss after the “American Beauty” star’s alleged conduct forced them to stop production, rewrite the series and shorten the final season to meet deadline.
The superstar actor argued it wasn’t his alleged conduct in early seasons, outside the statute of limitations, but his termination that lead to the company’s loss in revenue.
“The safety of our employees, sets and work environments is of paramount importance to MRC and why we set out to push for accountability,” MRC shared in a statement following the filing.
“It was a privilege representing MRC in this matter,” Kinsella Weitzman partner Michael Kump shared. “MRC stood its ground, pursued this case doggedly, and obtained the right result in the end.”