Russell Simmons in Los Angeles in February 2023.Photo:Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage
Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage
A Los Angeles-based woman claims thatRussell Simmonssexually assaulted her in the 1990s.
Under New York’s Adult Survivors Act and Gender Motivated Violence Act, Doe is suing Simmons, 66, for sexual battery/assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment.
While Doe claims that she and the record label executive initially had a professional relationship and he “was not flirtatious with her at all," she said that it was common to bring music videos to Simmons' New York City apartment, which she did “with no incident.” However, the plaintiff alleges that “Simmons suddenly began to turn his rapacious attention toward Ms. Doe,” which reportedly included “invading her personal space while making sexual innuendos, suggestions, and advances, and rubbing the front of his pants.”
The assault in question happened when “Ms. Doe brought to Mr. Simmons’s apartment a rough cut of a video she needed him to view for approval.” Simmons allegedly “aggressively and relentlessly flirted with Ms. Doe, made sexual innuendos and advances, asked sexually explicit questions, including personal questions about her sexual preferences and questioning if she was currently wearing a bra.”
Doe claims that Simmons invited her to his bedroom to watch a rough cut of the music video and propositioned her to have sex with him. While the plaintiff “rejected” his advances, she claims “Mr. Simmons performed a ‘wrestling move,’ climbing on top of Ms. Doe and pinning her arms down on the bed.” He allegedly continued asking her to have sex, and she kept rejecting him. “Simmons ignored Ms. Doe’s resistance and proceeded to rape her,” the lawsuit reads.
After the alleged incident, she “quit Def Jam in 1997 and worked as an executive producer for film and commercial production companies.” Ms. Doe claims she “struggled in her relationships with employers” and “became overwhelmed with anxiety.” She also relocated from New York to California. “After the assault, she became a completely different person,” the complaint states.
Representatives for Simmons have not returned PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Shortly after accusations of harassment and violent behavior were made public, Simmonsrelinquished all duties of his Def Jamempire.
The 2020 documentaryOn the Record,released on Max, detailed the stories of many women who came forward to speak out against the entrepreneur.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com
