Fired Matlock star David Del Rio initiates arbitration against CBS, citing 'professional and repu...

The actor was dropped from the CBS legal drama in October after the network investigated an incident involving him. Fired Matlock star David Del Rio initiates arbitration against CBS, citing 'professional and reputational harm' The actor was dropped from the CBS legal drama in October after the network investigated an incident involving him. By Wesley Stenzel :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/WesleyStenzelauthorphoto32b61793a2784639af623f2ae091477e.jpg) Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at . He began writing for EW in 2022. EW's editorial guidelines on March 4, 2026 6:24 p.m.

The actor was dropped from the CBS legal drama in October after the network investigated an incident involving him.

Fired Matlock star David Del Rio initiates arbitration against CBS, citing 'professional and reputational harm'

The actor was dropped from the CBS legal drama in October after the network investigated an incident involving him.

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

EW's editorial guidelines

on March 4, 2026 6:24 p.m. ET

David Del Rio on 'Matlock'. Credit:

Steve Wilkie/CBS

- David Del Rio has entered arbitration against CBS.

- The actor was fired from *Matlock* in October after the network investigated an incident involving him.

- A representative says Del Rio will "present real-time text communications and evidence that directly contradicts prior public characterizations of the interaction at issue."

David Del Rio is taking action against CBS.

The former *Matlock* star, who was dismissed from the legal drama in October following an investigation into an incident involving him, has entered arbitration against the network.

"David Del Rio has initiated arbitration against CBS Studios to address false and misleading allegations that caused substantial professional and reputational harm," the actor's attorney, Shawn Holley, said in a statement provided to **.

Holley said Del Rio will "present real-time text communications and evidence that directly contradicts prior public characterizations of the interaction at issue." She added, "This evidence was not fully considered before adverse employment action was taken."

Holley's statement concluded, "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."

David Del Rio in Los Angeles in 2025.

Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty

Holley's statement marks the first official statement that Del Rio or any of his representatives have released since his exit from *Matlock*.

CBS declined to comment on the matter.

Del Rio played up-and-coming lawyer Billy Martinez on the first season of *Matlock*. He had already completed work on several episodes on the show's second season when he was dismissed from the show just before it premiered last fall.

Last month, EW learned that CBS reopened its investigation into the incident in question, and subsequently stood by its decision to remove Del Rio from the show.

Upon Del Rio's exit, Billy was written out of the series. The actor's last appearance on the show came in the Dec. 4 episode, "Prior Bad Acts." In the following episode, the season 2 midseason finale "Call It a Christmas Gift," Del Rio's character takes a "personal day" and does not appear on screen.

'Matlock' jokes about David Del Rio's departure in midseason premiere: 'Job eliminated'

How 'Matlock' addresses David Del Rio's absence with a shocking twist after actor's firing for alleged sexual assault

In that episode, Billy's colleague and friend Sarah (played by Leah Lewis) talks to him on the phone as he tells her that his girlfriend, Claudia (Bella Ortiz), has experienced a miscarriage, indicating that Billy will take time away from his responsibilities at the Jacobson Moore law firm. Billy did not return in the show's most recent episode, the midseason premiere "Collateral," though Kathy Bates' Matty said the team has "got him covered."

Deadline Hollywood previously reported that the incident in question concerned a sexual assault allegation involving Del Rio's costar Lewis; Del Rio has previously denied the allegation, according to TMZ.

Lewis has not commented on the situation directly, though she posted a vague statement on her Instagram Stories shortly after news of Del Rio's departure broke.

"Mom is here, we're moving forward in love and strength. I'm in good hands," the actress wrote. "Thank you to everybody for any kind of support and care. Truly, we're moving forward in strength. Key word, strength. Please, let that be the takeaway."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Last month, Lewis celebrated *Matlock* being renewed for a third season, sharing her appreciation for the show's executive producers as well as "to the oodles of guest stars we've had come on this show and make it SO rich every single week, and to our hard working and incredible crew that is allllways showing up with even more warmth, professionalism and creativity every season."**

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Published: March 5, 2026 at 07:57AM on Source: RED MAG

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