The production company behind the movie Rust has agreed to pay a $100,000 fine to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration following a fatal shooting on the set.
In April last year, the New Mexico Department of the Environment’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (OHSB) imposed a $136,796 (£114,457) fine, the maximum allowed under state law.
It was later reduced to $100,000 (£83,705) under a settlement agreement.
its from a hollywood actor prop gun hero alec baldwin shot and killed the photographer Harina Hutchins Scheduled for October 2021.
Under the settlement, which is awaiting approval, the bureau downgraded its claim from “intentionally serious” to “serious” violations.
Melina Spadone, senior counsel at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and attorney at Rust Movie Productions, said: “We are pleased to have reached an agreement, subject to approval, with the OHSB that lowers citations and reduces penalties.
“Our priority has always been to resume production and finish the film so we can honor the life and work of Halyna Hutchins.
“Resolving this case rather than fighting a lawsuit is the best way for us to achieve this goal.”
Producers recently announced that filming will resume later this spring in Montana, USA.
Yellowstone Filming Ranch co-founders Richard Gray, Carter Boehm and Colin Davis, which provides the venue for Rust Movie Productions, said the decision to complete the film “moved us deeply.”
“We are honored to be able to achieve [Ms Hutchins’s] vision, and to carry forward her inspiring legacy by supporting this film,” they said in a joint statement.
Alec Baldwin (Alec Baldwin) on the Rust set photo.Photo: Santa Fe Police
Much of the original cast will return to the project alongside director Joel Souza, with Bianca Klein reportedly replacing Hutchins as cinematographer.
Baldwin will continue to star and produce.
On Thursday, Baldwin two counts of manslaughter Regarding the death of Ms Hutchins.
The actor will next hold a preliminary hearing at a yet-to-be-determined date that will determine whether the case will go to trial.
Last month, Baldwin was indicted by the Santa Fe District Attorney’s (DA) office for the fatal shooting of Ms. Hutchins.
The first of the two charges against him could be called manslaughter and requires evidence of underlying negligence.
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The second charge, manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act, requires proof that the death was more than simple negligence.
District Attorney’s most recent Dropped Firearms Enhancement for Chargewhich would make the offense punishable by a mandatory five-year prison term.
Baldwin’s lawyers argued that the enhancements were “illegal” and accused prosecutors of conducting “extraordinary” media briefings on him.
The actor’s legal team said their own motion to dismiss the charges is now “moot” after the “legal error” enhancement was dropped.