PricewaterhouseCoopers representatives, Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz, arrive on the red carpet of The 89th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 26, 2017. Photo Courtesy AMPAS
Not for PricewaterhouseCoppers’ (PWC) Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz…at least not this week.
The Oscars fallout is getting real for the PricewaterhouseCoopers’ accountants that were at the center of the Best Picture debacle. TMZ reports that “they’re in such fear for their lives, their bosses have hired security to protect them.”
PWC decided to hire bodyguards for Brian Cullinan, Martha Ruiz and their families because of death threats through social media, and other means, that they’ve received after their role in accidentally switching the Best Picture and Best Actress envelopes at the 89th Oscars this past Sunday (February 26, 2017.)
According to TMZ, the threats and comments are pretty harsh. Some of the social media threats included, “You f****** idiot, i will f*** you every day” … and “I hope you get fired and get cancer.”
Recent photos posted online of Ruiz and Cullinan’s homes made it pretty clear that something had to be done to protect them and their families against irate Oscar viewers.
Although Cullinan and Ruiz have been booted from working on future Oscars, sources say that they are still keeping their jobs with the firm, and won’t face any further punishment.
…and we thought hum drum accountants couldn’t be famous…or infamous.