“Rust” Tragedy
Here’s how Alec Baldwin’s lawyer reacts to ‘maximum fine’
Alec Baldwin’s attorney has responded to authorities’ decision in the death on the set of ‘Rust’.
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‘Rust’ Production Company Receives ‘Maximum Fine’ From Authorities After Halyna Hutchins’ Death On Set Alec Baldwin’s attorney responds.
The New Mexico workplace safety agency has fined the production company behind the low-budget western “Rust” nearly $137,000. Camerawoman Halyna Hutchins (1979-2021) was accidentally shot and killed on location in Santa Fe last fall (October 21).
The New Mexico Department of Environment’s Office of Occupational Health and Safety (OHSB) said in a press release Wednesday, “Rust Movie Productions, LLC” received the maximum possible sentence for “apparent indifference to the obvious dangers associated with the use of firearms on set which resulted in one death, serious injuries and unsafe working conditions”. The release also said the production company’s management “knew that firearm safety precautions were not being followed on set” and yet “no remedial action was taken.”
Among other things, the OHSB further said that in addition to the maximum fine, it also issued the company with the “highest level of warning” permitted under New Mexico state law.
The fatal incident came after lead actor Alec Baldwin, 64, who also served as a producer on the film project, fired a prop gun, accidentally killing 42-year-old Hutchins on the western film’s set in New Mexico. Director Joel Souza (48) was shot in the shoulder.
This is how Alec Baldwin’s lawyer reacts
Meanwhile, Alec Baldwin has responded to the verdict through his attorney. Posted on Instagram the actor wrote a text in which the lawyer primarily addresses the responsibility of the US star.
“We are grateful to the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Administration for investigating this matter,” the statement said. “We are pleased that the report exonerates Mr. Baldwin by making it clear that he believed the gun contained only blanks.”
The representative continues, “Additionally, the report confirms that Mr. Baldwin’s powers on production were limited to authorizing script changes and artistic casting. Mr. Baldwin had no powers in those areas that are the subject of FBI-determined violations, and we are pleased that the New Mexico authorities have resolved these critical issues. We are confident that those named in the report will be held accountable for this tragedy.”
In the course of the criminal investigations by the police and the public prosecutor’s office, there have not yet been any charges. The investigators have not ruled out such a possibility.