Casey Affleck Sued for Sexual Harassment

Saturday, July 24, 2010

One of the producers on the Joaquin Phoenix documentary Casey Affleck directed last year is suing him for $2 million claiming sexual harassment, E!Online reports. Amanda White filed her lawsuit early Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

White alleges that in addition to enduring "uninvited and unwelcome sexual advances in the workplace" throughout the making of 'I'm Still Here: The Lost Year of Joaquin Phoenix,' she also wasn't paid for her work as a producer.

"Affleck repeatedly referred to women as 'cows'; he discussed his sexual exploits and those of other celebrities that he allegedly witnessed; and asked [White], after learning her age, 'Isn't it about time you get pregnant?'" the suit states.

The producer also claims that while the group was filming in Costa Rica, she wasn't able to go to her room one night because Affleck and Phoenix were in it with two women.

Affleck's lawyer, Michael J. Plonsker, quickly shot back at the allegations, calling them "preposterous and without merit."

In a statement to PopEater and other outlets, Plonsker explains their side of the story: "Ms. White was terminated from the production over a year ago. She and her lawyers believe that this maliciously and erroneously filed complaint will cause the producers to succumb to her outrageous and baseless demands. She is mistaken."


The actor intends to file cross-claims against White as well.

When the crew was filming in San Francisco, White alleges Affleck attempted to get her to spend the night with him in his hotel room. After she said no, the lawsuit claims he "became hostile and aggressive" and "violently grabbed her arm in an effort to intimidate her into staying."

Affleck is married to Phoenix's sister, Summer, and has two children.

White is asking for at least $2 million in damages to cover sexual harassment, retaliation, failure to prevent harassment/retaliation, constructive discharge in violation of public policy, breach of oral contract, unjust enrichment, and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress.