Former Def Jam Recordings owner Russell Simmons is being sued for sexual harassment and violence. The New York federal court lawsuit names Jane Doe as the label's former senior music executive and video producer. She alleges Simmons assaulted her at his residence 25 years ago, causing mental turmoil and career stagnation.
Simmons invited the accuser to his New York residence to check a tape, the lawsuit said. He started wrestling playfully then became aggressive.
Simmons allegedly pinned her to a bed despite her cries for help. In 1997, the accuser resigned due to panic attacks, despair, and anxiety. Executive producer for cinema and commercial production firms was her next step.
The complaint claims Simmons harassed the complainant at Def Jam's headquarters, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He invaded her privacy, made sexual innuendos, and rubbed his trousers front. The harassment was so widespread that a top executive intervened many times.
Battery, false detention, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and New York gender-motivated violence legislation violations are alleged in the case. The Adult Survivors Act of the state extended sexual misconduct claims for one year, unaffected by the statute of limitations. The deadline to bring a lawsuit under this law was November, and it's unclear if the case may advance.
Famous actors and musicians including Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jimmy Iovine, Neil Portnow, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Jamie Foxx filed charges under state law. Due to the law's extended deadline, 2,700 complaints were filed.
Drew Dixon, a former Arista Records and Def Jam executive, accused Simmons of rape in 1995 and Antonio “L.A.” Reid of harassment. Dixon sued Reid for sexual assault and retribution after refusing repeated approaches, saying he hurt her career. Simmons was not named in Dixon's case, but her attorneys have demanded any pertinent papers and electronic exchanges concerning her accusations.
Simmons allegedly sold Def Jam stocks in 1999.