13 February 2024 , 21:34
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Russell Simmons has been sued for allegedly raping a music video producer.
According to court documents obtained by The Mirror, the producer, who has filed under the name of Jane Doe, was "sexually harassed, assaulted, sexually battered and raped" by Simmons, 66, while she worked for him at Def Jam Records in the 1990s.
In the docs, the senior level music executive claims her career in the music industry was "disrupted and derailed" due to Simmons' "assaultive behavior".
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A Def Jam senior music executive has accused Russell Simmons of sexual assault (Getty Images for Somaly Mam Foun)
In court docs obtained by The Mirror, the anonymous producer claims he assaulted her in his apartmentShe alleges that while working for him, she was required to meet him at his New York City apartment. She claims that meetings were typically held at his residency and that the purpose of the meeting was to review a music video.
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He reportedly began wrestling with her "playfully", but the producer claims that he then "pinned her down on a bed". She claims she begged him to get off but he refused and sexually assaulted her.
As a result of the attack, she claims she had "frequent panic attacks" and struggled to show up at Def Jam Studios. She eventually quit working for the label in 1997.
The court docs also state that over 20 women have sued Simmons over sexual harassment and assault.
Simmons continued to work at Def Jam Records until 1999 when he sold the label for $100 million to Seagram.
His career flourished up until 2017 when allegations about sexual assault forced him to step down from his corporate roles and HBO severed ties with him. Up until that point, his net worth had been a whopping $340 million.
If you have been affected by this story, contact Rape Crisis England & Wales for free confidential support and information on 08088029999 or their website or 08088010302 if you're calling from Scotland.
You can contact the Domestic and Sexual Abuse helpline on 0808 802 1414 if you are in Ireland.