🚨 INVESTIGATION EXPLODES: CBS Drags Fired Matlock Star Back Into Assault Probe 🚨
The scandal surrounding the CBS legal drama Matlock just reignited into a full-blown Hollywood inferno! Sources are confirming that CBS has made the shocking decision to reopen the investigation into sexual assault allegations leveled against former star David Del Rio, according to our exclusive TMZ report.
Del Rio, 38, was brutally fired from the legal drama’s second season back in October following an on-set incident with his co-star, Leah Lewis, 20. But the network’s initial internal investigation apparently didn’t stick, because TMZ sources reveal the probe was suddenly reactivated right before Thanksgiving.
This is a massive signal of legal chaos brewing behind the scenes. Del Rio and his high-profile, powerful attorney, Shawn Holley, have already been interviewed again by network investigators. Holley, known for representing titans like Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber, does not take cases lightly. This suggests Del Rio is not planning to go quietly into the night—he is preparing for a brutal fight against the network that publicly ousted him.
🔥 BEHIND THE SCENES CHAOS: The Day Del Rio Was ESCORTED Off the Lot 🔥
The original incident that tore the set apart occurred on September 26, culminating in Del Rio being fired and escorted off the Paramount lot on October 2, the very day the alleged assault was formally reported to the studio, according to multiple reports. The speed and ruthlessness of the termination suggest the network believed the allegations were severe enough to warrant immediate, public expulsion.
Leah Lewis, the alleged victim, responded to the news with a carefully managed social media post, featuring her mother on set. She wrote that they were “moving forward in love and strength,” pointedly asking fans to make “strength” the takeaway message. This was a clear message that she was standing her ground, backed by her family, against the storm of controversy.
But the public statements only fueled the confusion. The lack of detailed information surrounding the “on-set incident” on September 26 has allowed the rumor mill to spin wildly. Del Rio’s abrupt, permanent departure, coupled with Lewis’s veiled but powerful statements, paints a picture of uncontrollable chaos and immediate legal threat engulfing the production.
The fact that CBS fired him instantly but then had to reopen the investigation means the first one was either incomplete or messy. They are panicking because they know Del Rio is coming back with a vengeance now that he has Shawn Holley.
👰 WIFE’S DEFENSE: Katherine Del Rio’s Disturbing Social Media Attack 👰
While Del Rio has maintained public silence, his wife, Katherine, ignited her own massive social media scandal in October when the news broke. She quickly jumped to her husband’s defense, posting a picture of Leah Lewis on her Instagram Story with a shocking, derogatory caption: “This is the most disturbing human being I have ever met.”
The post was swiftly deleted, but the damage was done. This aggressive, personal attack confirmed that the dispute was not just a legal matter—it was a vicious, emotionally charged feud between families. Friends of the Del Rio couple confirmed that the wife is “standing by him,” stating they are “a family and staying together” despite the horrifying allegations.
The couple shares two young daughters, Lilia, 2, and Coco, 11 months. The defense of his wife, while aggressive, suggests a united front against the network and the allegations. However, the decision to personally attack the alleged victim on social media is a massive PR gaffe that his new high-powered legal team will undoubtedly regret.
⚖️ LEGAL WARFARE: Shawn Holley’s Aggressive Playbook ⚖️
The retention of Shawn Holley signals that Del Rio is preparing for a drawn-out, complex legal battle. Holley’s reputation is built on high-stakes, high-profile defense and an aggressive strategy aimed at discrediting the accuser and challenging the internal investigation process. Her involvement strongly suggests Del Rio believes his termination was wrongful or based on a flawed probe.
The reopening of the CBS investigation, just before the holidays, is likely a direct response to Holley’s immediate legal maneuvering. The network is clearly attempting to shore up its evidence and procedure to withstand the inevitable legal onslaught coming their way. They know that a flawed investigation could expose them to a massive wrongful termination lawsuit.
Meanwhile, the Matlock production is in turmoil. Del Rio’s character, Billy Martinez, who was supposed to begin a major Season 2 storyline involving him becoming a new father, is now being written out of the show entirely. The sudden departure of a lead actor due to scandal has forced the writers to scramble to create a coherent exit, adding huge cost and stress to the production.
🔮 SCRIPT CHAOS: The Abandoned Fatherhood Storyline 🔮
The emotional disconnect is staggering. Back in May, both Del Rio and Lewis spoke excitedly about their character’s Season 2 arcs. Del Rio was thrilled to explore how Billy would “handle the work balance with the personal balance” of becoming a dad. Lewis, meanwhile, talked about her character Sarah needing to “step up to the plate” and “mature” to become a “big dog.”
These quotes now ring hollow, twisted by the accusations. The happy fatherhood storyline for Billy is dead, replaced by a dark, undisclosed ending. The “big dog” maturity Lewis was seeking came in the form of handling a devastating on-set incident and the subsequent firestorm. The professional aspirations of both actors have been irrevocably altered by the alleged events of a single day.
Sources confirm that the writers were forced to toss weeks of meticulously planned scripts, leading to major reshoots and budget increases for the second half of Season 2. The cost of this single scandal is massive, and it is a stark reminder of the extreme volatility of a TV production set when personal and legal boundaries are allegedly crossed.
❓ THE CLIFFHANGER: Will CBS’s Reinvestigation Lead to Charges? ❓
The ball is now entirely in CBS’s court. The reopening of the investigation, done with the full knowledge that Del Rio has legal powerhouse Shawn Holley on retainer, is a huge risk. Does the network have new, damning evidence, or are they simply trying to insulate themselves from a lawsuit?
More importantly, will the findings of this new internal investigation be handed over to law enforcement? While Del Rio has been publicly silent on the allegations themselves, his aggressive legal defense suggests he plans to fight this to the bitter end. This saga is far from over, and the outcome will either expose a massive corporate injustice or confirm the terrifying reality of the allegations.
The Matlock set is still moving forward, but everyone is waiting for the next legal strike. Will David Del Rio’s star lawyer save his career, or will this reopened investigation finally lead to criminal charges?
We are following Shawn Holley’s next move closely.
Will the new Matlock season survive this massive scandal?
