Russell Simmons, the renowned music mogul, is facing a lawsuit alleging rape from a former music producer who worked with Def Jam Recordings in the late 1990s.
The complaint, filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act and the New York City Gender Motivated Violence Act, was brought forth by a woman identified as Jane Doe. In her statement, Jane Doe recounts a harrowing incident at Simmons’ Manhattan apartment during a video review session. According to the complaint, Simmons utilized a “wrestling move” to pin her down on his bed and proceeded to assault her despite her repeated protests.
Kenya Davis, Jane Doe’s attorney, emphasized the impact of Simmons’ alleged actions on her client’s career and well-being.
“She was proud of her contributions to the burgeoning musical genre of hip hop, but her hard work and her career in music was disrupted and derailed by Mr. Simmons, a rich and powerful celebrity whose wealth and influence allowed his abusive behavior to go unchallenged for decades,” Davis stated.
Jane Doe’s traumatic experience, as described in the complaint, reflects a pattern of predatory behavior that Simmons purportedly exercised over numerous women throughout his career.
Simmons’ denial of any violent allegations was challenged by multiple accusers, including Drew Dixon, Sheri Sher, Sil Lai Abrams, and Jenny Lumet, who stood by their claims in response to a December 2023 interview Simmons did “In Depth with Graham Bensinger.”
Lumet, a screenwriter, recounted an alleged assault dating back to 1991, while Abrams detailed an incident from 1994, previously chronicled in a 2007 book without using real names. Sher, a founding member of the Mercedes Ladies hip-hop group, disclosed an incident from around 1983 in a Los Angeles Times exposé. Dixon, a former Def Jam executive, was among three women who came forward in a New York Times article.
During the episode, Simmons disclosed having undergone a series of nine lie detector tests in response to the accusations, emphasizing his commitment to proving his innocence. Despite Simmons’ assertions, Jane Doe’s lawsuit underscores the enduring impact of his alleged actions on survivors and the ongoing reckoning within the entertainment industry regarding sexual misconduct.
Simmons’ attorney has yet to issue a statement regarding the recent lawsuit. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and justice in addressing allegations of sexual assault and harassment within the music industry and beyond.