*Russell Simmons, the music mogul and former owner of Def Jam Recordings is facing a lawsuit for alleged sexual harassment and battery. The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe in the complaint filed in New York federal court, is a former senior music executive and video producer at the label. She claims that Simmons raped her over 25 years ago at his apartment, which resulted in the stagnation of her career due to emotional distress.
According to the complaint, Simmons invited the accuser to his New York apartment to review a video. Initially, he engaged in what appeared to be playful wrestling, but the situation escalated into aggression.
Allegedly, Simmons pinned her down on a bed despite her repeated pleas for him to stop. The incident left the accuser struggling with panic attacks, depression, and anxiety, eventually leading to her resignation in 1997. She transitioned to work as an executive producer for film and commercial production companies.
The Hollywood Reporter says the lawsuit also asserts that Simmons subjected the accuser to persistent harassment at Def Jam’s offices. He would invade her personal space, make sexual innuendos, and engage in suggestive behavior, including rubbing the front of his pants. The harassment reportedly became so pervasive that a senior executive had to intervene on multiple occasions.
The lawsuit includes claims for battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and a violation of New York’s gender-motivated violence law. It was filed under the state’s Adult Survivors Act, which extended the period for bringing sexual misconduct claims for one year, unaffected by the statute of limitations. However, the window to file a lawsuit under this law closed in November, and it remains uncertain if the case can proceed under the Act.
Numerous plaintiffs, including high-profile figures in Hollywood and the music industry such as Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jimmy Iovine, Neil Portnow, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Jamie Foxx, utilized the state law to file complaints. Around 2,700 allegations were submitted, taking advantage of the extended timeframe provided by the law.
This case follows accusations made by Drew Dixon, a former executive at Arista Records and Def Jam, who accused Simmons of rape in 1995 and Antonio “L.A.” Reid of harassment. Dixon previously sued Reid for sexual assault and retaliation after rejecting further advances, claiming he hindered her career. While Simmons was not named in Dixon’s complaint, her lawyers have sought all relevant documents and electronic communications about her allegations against him.
In 1999, Simmons reportedly sold his stake in Def Jam
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