The production company behind the movie Rust has agreed to pay a $100,000 fine to an occupational health and safety department after a fatal shooting on set.
The New Mexico Department of the Environment’s (OHSB) Bureau of Occupational Health and Safety issued a fine of $136,796 (£114,457), the maximum allowed under state law, last April.
It was later reduced to $100,000 (£83,705) under the deal.
This happened after a firearm held by the Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin opened fire and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on set in October 2021.
Under the settlement, which is pending approval, the agency downgraded its claim of an “intentionally serious” violation to “serious.”
Melina Spadone, Senior Counsel at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and General Counsel at Rust Movie Productions, said: “We are pleased to have entered into an agreement with the OHSB, subject to approval, that downgrades citation and reduces penalties.
“Our top priority has always been to resume production and complete this film so that we can honor the life and work of Halyna Hutchins.
“Resolving this case, rather than litigating it, is the best way forward for us to achieve that goal.”
Producers recently announced that filming would resume in Montana later this spring.
Yellowstone Filming Ranch co-founders Richard Gray, Carter Boehm and Colin Davis offered the site to Rust Movie Productions, saying the decision to finish the film “moved us deeply”.
“We are honored to play a role in realizing (Ms. Hutchins’) vision and carrying forward her inspirational legacy by championing this film,” they said in a joint statement.
Several original crew members will return to the project alongside director Joel Souza, with Bianca Cline reportedly stepping in for Hutchins as director of photography.
Baldwin will remain in his lead role and as a producer.
On Thursday, Baldwin pleaded not guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter about the death of Mrs. Hutchins.
Then, the actor will face a preliminary hearing at a date yet to be defined, which will determine whether or not the case goes to trial.
Baldwin was charged by the Santa Fe District Attorney’s (DA) office last month in the fatal shooting of Ms. Hutchins.
The first of the two charges brought against him can be called involuntary manslaughter and requires proof of underlying negligence.
See more information
Alec Baldwin was ‘talking on the phone’ during weapons training, prosecutor claims
Alec Baldwin’s accusations are a sign that a criminal reckoning awaits him
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Baldwin lawyers vow to fight
The second charge is involuntary manslaughter in the commission of a legal act, which requires proof that there was more than simple negligence involved in a death.
The district attorney recently released a firearm upgrade for the payloadwhich would make the crime punishable by a mandatory five years in prison.
Baldwin’s lawyers argued that the enhancement was “illegal” and accused the prosecutor of holding “extraordinary” media briefings against him.
The actor’s legal team said that after the “legally erroneous” enhancement was rescinded, their own motion to drop the charge was now “moot”.