Jennifer Jarosik filed a civil suit in U.S. District Court in January, accusing Russell Simmons, founder of Def Jam Recordings of rape and sexual battery when she approached Simmons seeking help in producing and financing a film.
The woman alleged Simmons befriended her, invited her to his Los Angeles home under the pretext of discussing the film project, and then assaulted and raped her.
Her lawsuit had sought $5 million in damages.
Russell Simmons, in his court filing, replied that he and Jarosik had known each other for a decade, and that she would make unsolicited requests for his help on various entertainment projects — including a documentary, reality television shows and children’s books.
He offered encouragement, offered to donate a few thousand dollars to one project, and asked a friend who was a documentary filmmaker to help out with her documentary.
The long-time entertainment figure said that on the occasions when they had sex, it was consensual.
Both Simmons and Jarosik asked that the case be dismissed, suggesting some settlement had been reached.
Simmons, however, has been publicly accused of sexual misconduct by 16 women (including Jarosik).
He still faces another $10 million lawsuit for raping an unnamed accuser who claims Simmons raped her in a hotel and threatened her son’s life.
According to the lawsuit, the Def Jam founder told the woman,
“I am going to fuck you or I’m going to fuck your son. You decide.” He then allegedly forced her onto the bed and raped her.
That incident reportedly took place in 1988, which Simmons’ lawyers argue make it outside the state’s statute of limitations, making it not possible to try in court.
Russell has denied all of the many sexual-misconduct claims made against him.
No comments:
Post a Comment