&x27;Matlock&x27; actor David Del Rio combats CBS firing, assault allegations Anthony Robledo, USA TODAYFri, March 6, 2026 at 1:20 AM UTC 0 Actor David Del Rio has filed an arbitration claim over his termination from CBS on the series "Matlock" following allegations of sexual assault. Del Rio, 38, has called the allegations"false and misleading" and has initiated arbitration against CBS Studios to address claims that caused "substantial professional and reputational harm," his attorney Shawn Holley said in a statement shared with USA TODAY. "At the arbitration, Mr.
'Matlock' actor David Del Rio combats CBS firing, assault allegations
Anthony Robledo, USA TODAYFri, March 6, 2026 at 1:20 AM UTC
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Actor David Del Rio has filed an arbitration claim over his termination from CBS on the series "Matlock" following allegations of sexual assault.
Del Rio, 38, has called the allegations"false and misleading" and has initiated arbitration against CBS Studios to address claims that caused "substantial professional and reputational harm," his attorney Shawn Holley said in a statement shared with USA TODAY.
"At the arbitration, Mr. Del Rio will present real-time text communications and evidence that directly contradicts prior public characterizations of the interaction at issue," Holley said. "This evidence was not fully considered before adverse employment action was taken."
CBS Studios declined to comment on the arbitration claim. The studio told USA TODAY it doesn't comment on legal matters.
David Del Rio at PaleyFest LA screening of "Matlock" at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on March 23, 2025.
The studio previously confirmed the "Pitch Perfect" actor's departure from the series on Oct. 9.
"Mr. Del Rio looks forward to resolving this matter through the appropriate legal forum and has faith that a full evidentiary review will establish the truth and restore his professional reputation," the statement from the actor's attorney continues.
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The actor and the studio parted ways after an investigation into an incident involving Del Rio, and the decision remains unchanged, USA TODAY has learned.
Del Rio played the attorney Billy Martinez in the procedural series starring Kathy Bates for Season 1 and the first few episodes of Season 2.
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The story addressed Del Rio's abrupt exit in a scene where an HR rep asks where Billy was before Sarah Franklin (Leah Lewis) said he is "very sick" and Madeline Matlock (Bates) said, "We've got him covered," according to People.
The series first premiered in September 2024, starring Bates as septuagenarian attorney Madeline Matlock, who joins a prestigious law firm with a secret agenda. Bates was nominated for an Emmy for her role in the best actress in a drama series category for "Matlock."
The show's cast is rounded out by Leah Lewis, Jason Ritter, Skye P. Marshall, Sam Anderson and Yael Grobglas.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: David Del Rio files claim over 'Matlock' firing, assault allegations
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Source: Entertainment
Published: March 5, 2026 at 10:09PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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