Embattled music mogul Russell Simmons has finally resolved a financial dispute with three of his sexual misconduct accusers, who he had allegedly failed to pay out agreed settlements to for more than a year.
As HotNewHipHop reports, the female accusers claimed in 2024 that Simmons still owed them over $3 million in agreements from 2023. The accusers, Wendy Franco, Sil Lai Abrams, and Sherri Abernathy were able to resolve the matter after Rolling Stone contacted Simmons’ attorneys about the unpaid amounts.
Simmons agreed to $3.045 million settlement with the women, but failed to meet his October 2024 payment deadline. According to court documents, he owed Franco $515,000 and Abrams and Abernathy $1,265,000 each. Their claims of misconduct date back to the 1980s and 1990s.
The Def Jam executive has maintained his innocence despite the handful of women who have spoken on the alleged incidents. Earlier this year, he filed a defamation lawsuit against HBO over the documentary, On The Record. The film detailed allegations of sexual abuse against Simmons back in 2020. He is seeking $20 million in the case.
Amid the legal disputes, Simmons’ social media posts include yoga and meditation sessions, celebrating his daughters and his time spent with friends.