Rust prosecutors investigate whether Alec Baldwin compromised set safety – The Hollywood Reporter

main producer of rust Alec Baldwin must turn over records that could show whether he circumvented industry-wide norms on set safety to shoot a movie on a shoestring budget, a judge ruled Tuesday. did.

Prosecutors are seeking documents between Last Movie Productions and Alec Baldwin and his production company, El Dorado Pictures, in a potential prelude to new charges against the film’s actors and producers. ing. They are investigating the possibility that Baldwin could have profited from cutting corners on set safety related to gun use.

The records could help Hannah Gutierrez-Reid, who is charged with manslaughter and tampering with evidence in the fatal shooting of a film director when Baldwin’s gun went off. There is. She claims that the film’s producers denied her request for additional firearms training for financial reasons, and that she was stopped from working properly.

Gutierrez-Reid’s attorney, Jason Bowles, said in a statement that Last Movie Productions “needs to stop trying to hide the ball and be transparent and provide information openly.”

“The question arises, what are they hiding and why are they hiding it?” Bowles added. (Rust Movie Productions did not respond to a request for comment.)

Charges against Baldwin were dismissed in April, but prosecutors said they may reopen the case pending the outcome of an investigation into whether the gun that fired was tampered with. Forensic experts released a report in September that contradicted Baldwin’s account of the incident, although he maintained he did not pull the trigger of the gun.

According to court filings, the subpoena was issued to Last Movie Productions in August when Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney alerted prosecutors to circumstances surrounding the production, which he claims is related to his client’s criminal case. It was issued. He asked for additional time for Baldwin to train him to handle firearms, citing Gutierrez-Reid, who worked as a prop assistant and armorer on movies in a time when guns weren’t used in real life. He said it was rejected. Industry-wide safety standards he may have violated include intentionally firing a gun even though it wasn’t needed in a scene he was rehearsing; This includes receiving a gun from assistant director Dave Halls without permission. After indicating that the chamber is empty in accordance with safety information recommended by the Industry Labor Management Safety Committee.

Last Movie Productions resisted the subpoena. The paper said prosecutors are conducting an “apparent phishing investigation” aimed at indicting Baldwin, looking for “privileged and protected material” that would require disclosure of trade secrets and other confidential information. he claimed.

New Mexico Judge Mary Sommer on Tuesday denied the company’s motion to quash the subpoena. Special Counsel Kari Morrissey highlighted Baldwin’s role. rust As a producer, he was “deeply involved in the development of the script and other aspects of the film.” She said there may have been financial considerations that may have influenced some of his decisions regarding set safety, such as refusing additional firearms training, so she claimed the motive was related to the criminal case against Gutierrez-Reed.

“For example, it is likely that Mr. Baldwin’s contract requires him to receive a certain amount of compensation for his daily filming and for performing daily filming-related tasks such as firearms training,” Morrissey said. stated in the submission. “The State and Mr. Gutierrez should be allowed to investigate whether Mr. Gutierrez’s request was denied due to economic considerations rather than safety or other reasonable considerations.”

Prosecutors say Baldwin’s contract may have stipulated that he would receive a cut of the profits. rust“once again demonstrating that financial interests may have influenced Mr. Gutierrez’s ability to perform his job as an armorer.”

The New Mexico Department of Safety found last year that Gutierrez-Reed’s spread was too thin. In accordance with industry-accepted safety practices, armorers are required to be present at all times when handling firearms and must have the authority to determine whether an individual requires additional safety training. However, Gutierrez-Reed also had to serve as a prop assistant when the firearm was not actually in use. She was given eight paid days as an armorer by line producer Gabriel Pickle, and told to spend the rest of her time as a prop assistant. Four days before the shooting, Pickle texted Baldwin that he would “no longer provide firearms training,” according to a report by the New Mexico Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which the agency called a “willful and serious” code violation. Last Movie Productions was fined $100,000. Safety measure.

Baldwin is being sued by many people. rust Crew members surrounding the shooting. In a lawsuit brought by script supervisor Mamie Mitchell, a judge advanced an assault allegation against the actor for violating industry norms regarding the handling of firearms.

“Industry-wide safety bulletins regarding firearm use require that all firearms be treated as if they were loaded, because, as Alec Baldwin knew, guns are inherently dangerous weapons. “,” the judgment states. “He had no right to rely on the assistant director’s purported statement that it was a ‘cold gun.'” You can’t hide behind it.”