By Stacy M. BrownBlack Press USA Senior Nationwide Correspondent
Hip Hop pioneer and enterprise mogul Russell Simmons has filed a $20 million lawsuit in New York towards HBO, Warner Bros. Discovery, and the producers of the 2020 documentary “On the File,” alleging defamation, emotional misery and invasion of privateness.
The lawsuit claims the movie intentionally omitted key proof, together with testimony from greater than 20 people who Simmons says contradicted the sexual assault allegations featured within the film.
Simmons, who presently resides in Bali, argues that high-level executives at WarnerMedia, together with CEO John Stankey, have been made conscious of exculpatory proof however allowed the documentary to proceed with out it. He additionally alleges that a number of civil rights leaders and members of Congress urged HBO to rethink airing the movie. The lawsuit notes Oprah Winfrey’s public departure from the mission, stating that she withdrew after expressing considerations about inconsistencies within the accusations.
The documentary, which premiered on HBO Max and debuted on the Sundance Movie Pageant, profiles ladies who accused Simmons of sexual misconduct, together with Drew Dixon, Sheri Hines, Sil Lai Abrams, Alexia Norton Jones, and Jenny Lumet. Simmons has denied allegations and stated he has by no means been violent towards anybody. Talking with Black Press USA in 2020, Simmons stated he had taken and handed 9 lie detector exams administered by the president of the California Polygraph Affiliation.
A supply near Simmons on the time stated neither HBO nor filmmakers Amy and Kirby Dick sought his enter or assertion earlier than releasing the movie.
In an interview with CBS This Morning, Oprah Winfrey later defined her departure from the mission, saying, “Houston, I feel we now have an issue right here,” referring to new info she had acquired.
Sources near Simmons indicated he believed Winfrey’s choice stemmed from recognizing the potential backlash, evaluating it to the Tawana Brawley case from the Eighties.
Among the many statements submitted in assist of Simmons have been accounts from people difficult the credibility of some accusers. A former intern who labored with Drew Dixon wrote a letter to Winfrey questioning Dixon’s claims and offering her observations. Music trade determine Jayson Jackson, who as soon as dated Dixon, stated she was keen to do something to realize fame, whereas mannequin Kara Younger stated Dixon had tried to share unrelated abuse claims on Tyra Banks’ discuss present. Allegations from Sheri Hines have been additionally challenged primarily based on factual discrepancies. Hines claimed Simmons raped her in 1983 after they met on the Resort Diplomat, which had reportedly closed a number of years earlier. Rapper Kurtis Blow, who Hines stated was current throughout her time with Simmons, denied parts of her account, together with limousine journey and Simmons’ means to supply document offers at the moment. Former Def Jam president Carmen Ashurst submitted an affidavit stating that Sil Lai Abrams had confided in her about consensual intercourse with Simmons and frustration about being utilized by males. Kenneth Lee, Simmons’ former driver, additionally offered an affidavit denying that he ever transported anybody towards their will, countering Abrams’ claims. Alexia Norton Jones has publicly said Simmons raped her throughout their first and solely date, however a number of people accustomed to the 2 advised Black Press USA their relationship lasted about 5 months. Kenneth Jennings, a driver for Simmons, submitted an affidavit supporting that declare.
Jenny Lumet’s allegations have been additionally addressed within the lawsuit. Although Lumet claimed Simmons directed a driver to take her to his residence, the place he assaulted her, she acknowledged that Simmons didn’t use bodily power and that they remained in social contact afterward. Simmons stated he felt compassion for Lumet, believing she was satisfied of her account.
Actress Rae Daybreak Chong, a former girlfriend, advised the Black Press she thought the state of affairs supplied an opportunity for all concerned to study and heal, including that Simmons has all the time been somebody keen to hear. Actress Rebecca Gayheart additionally voiced assist for Simmons, telling Black Press USA, “I completely imagine and love Russell. He’s an excellent human being.”
