Victor Kaufman is doing Barry Diller’s dirty work in Hollywood.
Kaufman, vice-chairman of Diller’s e-commerce outfit USAI, has taken an active role in putting Vivendi Universal’s Hollywood budgets under the microscope, sources tell The Post.
“He is ensconsed over there, taking a hard look at the budgets,” says one source familiar with the matter.
A VUE spokesperson declined comment.
As Vivendi keeps up efforts to spin off the entertainment businesses, which include Universal Pictures and Universal Studios, Diller has been steadfastly tightening the screws, looking to cut costs from pricey joint venture deals with outside production companies, sources say.
As of now, there have been no layoffs, sources say.
Diller, who in addition to being chairman and CEO of USAI, is also chairman and co-CEO of Vivendi Universal Entertainment.
His dual role as a top executive at two publicly-traded companies has raised some concern among corporate governance experts.
Now, with Kaufman’s role at VUE coming to light, USAI shareholders could increasingly question the relationship, sources say.
However, USAI does own a 5.4 percent stake in VUE, a position stemming from the 2000 deal in which Vivendi acquired USA Networks.