Fired Matlock actor to take CBS to arbitration over sexual assault allegations

David Del Rio, the Matlock regular who was fired following a sexual assault allegation from co-star Leah Lewis, is taking the network to arbitration over his dismissal, Variety reports. Back in late September, Lewis reported the incident, prompting an internal investigation by CBS, which fired Del Rio shortly thereafter. Filing an arbitration claim against CBS Studios yesterday, Del Rio’s lawyer, Shawn Holley, said that his client will “address false and misleading allegations that caused substantial professional and reputational harm.” During arbitration, Holley claims that Del Rio will “present real-time text communications and evidence that directly contradicts prior public characterizations of the interaction at issue,” which was “not fully considered” before the actor’s firing. According to Variety, Del Rio’s employment agreement requires private arbitration rather than a public lawsuit.