A woman identified as Jane Doe filed a lawsuit against Russell Simmons, the founder of Def Jam Records, in relation to an alleged sexual assault that took place in the 1990s.
The alleged victim was a former executive with Def Jam Records and one of at least 20 women who have come forward with similar allegations against Simmons, according to Rolling Stone. The court documents cite allegations of sexual battery/assault, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress, Rolling Stone reported.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JUNE 24: Music Mogul Russell Simmons speaks at the Culture Creators 2nd Annual Awards Brunch Presented By Motions Hair And Ciroc at Mr. C Beverly Hills on June 24, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Culture Creators )
Doe is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. The exact amount will be determined at the time of the trial, according to Rolling Stone. The lawsuit was filed in New York, under the state’s Gender Motivated Violence Act, which allows an extended window for survivors of gender-motivated violence through to March 1, 2025.
Doe reportedly claimed Simmons raped her in his apartment in the 1990s when she visited his home to discuss a work-related matter. She said he pulled a “wrestling move” and pinned her to his bed, then allegedly raped her, the lawsuit read, according to Rolling Stone. “The situation escalated into aggression and Mr. Simmons pinned Ms. Doe down on a bed,” the suit said. “Ms. Doe repeatedly told Mr. Simmons to get off of her, but he refused. Mr. Simmons proceeded to rape her.”
The alleged victim claimed that her working relationship with Simmons became uncomfortable when he allegedly began entering her office and shutting the door behind him.
“He would sit on her desk, lean over her, aggressively invading her personal space while making sexual innuendos, suggestions, and advances, and rubbing the front of his pants,” the lawsuit alleged, according to Rolling Stone.
Doe claimed the trauma associated with the alleged rape “disrupted and derailed” her career. She claimed she “experienced overwhelming anxiety, shame, humiliation and debilitating low self-esteem,” Rolling Stone reported.
Doe quit her job and moved to California in 1997. She attempted to continue to build a career in the entertainment industry but left three jobs in a two-year period, citing she was uncomfortable working for males after the alleged attack, the court documents reportedly read. Doe also claimed she was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder, according to Rolling Stone.
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 30: Russell Simmons attends the 9th annual Keep A Child Alive Black Ball at Hammerstein Ballroom on October 30, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by D Dipasupil/Getty Images) Dipasupil/Getty Images
Doe allegedly ran into Simmons in 2023 at a yoga class, at which time she alleged she asked him if she was able to continue to attend the class. She claimed he responded by saying, “Of course. What, do you think, I’m gonna try and fuck you?” the lawsuit read, the outlet reported.
“She realized not only was he unapologetic towards her personally, he did not appreciate that the assault was wrong,” the lawsuit read, according to Rolling Stone.
Simmons’ attorney released a statement denying the allegations.
“Mr. Simmons has always maintained that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual relationships with anyone,” she said. “And he has voluntarily taken a number of lie detector tests that support that.” (RELATED: ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Star Arianne Zucker Sues Company Behind Show For Sexual Harassment, Court Docs Show: REPORT)