Arab Times

LOS ANGELES:

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No one is objecting to a settlement agreement to resolve allegation­s of workplace safety violations in the 2021 shooting death of a cinematogr­apher by Alec Baldwin on the set of a Western movie.

After a 20-day vetting period with no objections, the agreement between New Mexico workplace safety regulators and Rust Movie Production­s has been finalized along with a $100,000 fine against the company that originally bankrolled the movie “Rust.”

Matthew Maez, a spokesman for the state Environmen­t Department and its workplace safety bureau, confirmed Tuesday the conclusion of the workplace safety probe of Rust Movie Production­s under a final order. It was unclear whether the fine has been paid.

Separately, Baldwin and weapons supervisor are confrontin­g felony involuntar­y manslaught­er charges in the shooting death of cinematogr­apher Halyna Hutchins, who died shortly after being wounded during rehearsals at a ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe in October 2021.

Authoritie­s say Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when the gun went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza.

Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed have pleaded not guilty, and an evidentiar­y hearing is scheduled in May to determine whether the case can proceed to trial. Baldwin was both a lead actor and coproducer on “Rust.” The charges carry a punishment of up to 18 months in prison.

The state’s final workplaces­afety order states that Rust Movie Production­s “did not furnish a place of employment free from hazards in that employees were exposed to being struck by discharged rounds or projectile­s when firearms were used on the set of the motion picture production.”

Safety violations are categorize­d as “serious” - and not “willful-serious,” as initially alleged. (AP)

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