Robert De Niro Lawsuit Dismissal Attempt Refused  6/19/07

Robert De Niro's attempt to have a lawsuit against him thrown out of court has been refused.

The Fireman's Fund Insurance Company filed suit against De Niro in California last year (06), accusing the actor of fraud and deceit around the time of his 2003 cancer diagnosis.

The Fireman's Fund paid Fox studios $1.87 million after De Niro was forced to delay filming of Hide And Seek so he could receive treatment for prostate cancer.

Days before his diagnosis, De Niro signed an insurance certificate, declaring he had never been "diagnosed with or treated for a disorder of (among other things) the prostate glands".

The Fireman's Fund have accused De Niro of misrepresenting his health when he signed the certificate on 13 October 2003.

Last month (May07) De Niro filed an application to dismiss the suit, insisting he was unaware he had cancer until 15 October 2003, although he had undergone a biopsy on 10 October.

However, on Monday (18Jun07) U.S. District Judge Manuel Real denied De Niro's motion.

A court hearing has been scheduled for 2 July (07).