`Superman Returns` producer loses sexual harassment case

Los Angeles: `Superman Returns` producer Jon Peters has been ordered to pay USD 3.3 million after losing a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former assistant.

Shelly Morita first sued Peters, 66, five years ago during the making of `Superman Returns`, on which Peters acted as the producer. She alleged that he had fondled her at his home in Malibu and later jumped into bed with her in an Australian hotel room, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The USD 3.3 million is made up of USD 822,000 in lost wages and USD 2.5 million in punitive damages. According to a testimony heard by the jury, Peters withheld a USD 25,000 Christmas bonus until a confidentiality agreement was signed. He also made it impossible for Morita to get a job in Hollywood. Peters, who has produced films like `Batman`, `The Color Purple` and `Rain Man`, is planning to seek an appeal. PTI