CBS has reopened its internal investigation into sexual assault allegations against former Matlock star David Del Rio, reigniting a controversy that saw him fired from the hit reboot and raising new questions about the network’s process and the future of the series.
In a significant development, CBS has reportedly reopened its investigation into allegations of sexual assault made against actor David Del Rio by his Matlock co-star, Leah Lewis. The move signals that the fallout from Del Rio’s abrupt firing in October is far from over, placing a renewed spotlight on the network’s handling of serious on-set misconduct claims and the intense public battle playing out between the actors involved.
The new phase of the investigation began shortly before Thanksgiving, with the network allegedly interviewing more individuals connected to the case, including Del Rio and his prominent attorney, Shawn Holley, a detail first reported by TMZ. This decision to take a second look suggests that either new information has surfaced or the network is ensuring its initial actions can withstand intense legal and public scrutiny.
The Allegation and the Immediate Aftermath
The controversy first erupted in the fall when Del Rio was suddenly terminated from his role on the highly anticipated reboot starring Kathy Bates. The alleged incident of sexual assault reportedly occurred on September 26 and prompted “immediate action” from producers and CBS Studios, as confirmed by reporting from Deadline at the time. Del Rio was reportedly escorted off the Paramount lot shortly after the allegation was made.
Del Rio, who has consistently denied the allegation through his representatives, has not made a public statement. However, the situation quickly escalated into a public conflict fueled by social media.
A Public Battle on Social Media
While Del Rio remained silent, his wife, Katherine Del Rio, took to Instagram to publicly defend her husband and criticize his accuser. On October 9, she posted a close-up photo of Lewis with the caption, “This is the most disturbing human being I have ever met.” She followed up with another post, stating, “We are moving forward in love and strength after what Leah did to our family.”
Lewis, in turn, addressed the situation with a message of resilience. Posting a photo with her own mother, she wrote, “Mom is here, we’re moving forward in love and strength. I’m in good hands.” She emphasized, “Key word, strength. Please, let that be the take away.” This digital back-and-forth has allowed fans and the public to witness the deeply personal and contentious nature of the allegations in near real-time.
What This Means for ‘Matlock’
On screen, Del Rio played Billy Martinez, a first-year associate who was characterized as the best friend of Lewis’s character, Sarah Franklin. This dynamic adds a layer of complexity for the show’s writers, who are now tasked with writing his character out of the series. Production on the second season of Matlock has continued, with Lewis confirming via Instagram on December 1 that filming had resumed after a planned break.
The decision to reopen the investigation complicates the narrative for CBS. It indicates the network is pursuing a more thorough review, which could be a response to legal pressure or an effort to reinforce its commitment to workplace safety in the post-#MeToo era. For a major network, handling such a high-profile allegation transparently and decisively is critical to maintaining industry and audience trust.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available 24 hours a day through RAINN‘s National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
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