The penalties could be severe – but Rivers may have some unexpected
defenses.
With the WGA East sending Joan Rivers off to a trial
board for alleged violations related to Fashion
Police, the star will be facing what’s likely to be a tough tribunal – and
a fine that could be as high as all the money she’s made on the hit show in the
last year, plus expulsion from the union.
What’s more, she may have
to face her accusers without an attorney present. The WGAE rules say that a
member at a trial board “may be represented by a Current member in good
standing,” but there’s no provision for counsel.
And yet, as tough a jam
as it may seem, Rivers may have some defenses – and might even be able to
prevent a hearing from taking place at all. Let’s take a look at the
accusations against Rivers, the procedure that comes next and her possible
arguments.
Details: The Hollywood Reporter.
Check out “The New Zealand Hobbit Crisis,” available on Amazon in paperback, Kindle and audiobook. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel.com) for more about entertainment labor. You can also follow me on Twitter or friend me on Facebook. If you work in tech, take a look at my book How to Write LOIs and Term Sheets. -->