Russell Simmons has reportedly filed a $20 million lawsuit towards HBO Max and the filmmakers behind the 2020 documentary, On the File.

Russell Simmons Sues HBO for $20 Million Over Documentary

Based on a Selection report, printed on Wednesday (June 4), Russell Simmons has filed a defamation lawsuit towards HBO Max and the filmmakers behind the 2020 documentary, On the File. In his swimsuit, which was filed on Tuesday (June 3) in New York, the embattled rap mogul claims the film defames his title and that a number of executives at Warner Bros. Discovery, the mother or father firm of HBO Max, together with CEO John Stankey, allegedly suppressed proof that corroborated his account of occasions.

On the File, directed by Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick, explores testimonials of a number of ladies, together with former A&R govt Drew Dixon, who alleged that Simmons sexually assaulted them within the Eighties and Nineteen Nineties when he was the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings. Simmons has vehemently denied all allegations.

“Regardless of voluminous help for Mr. Simmons within the type of credible data, persuasive proof, witness statements, and requires additional investigation by notable members of the media, politics, and the civil rights motion, the defendants merely disregarded it, and launched, and proceed to re-release globally, a movie that tremendously disparaged and broken Mr. Simmons with salacious and defamatory accusations that he vehemently denies,” Russell Simmons’ legal professional Imran Ansari and co-counsel Carla DiMare mentioned in a written assertion to Selection.

Simmons is in search of $20 million in damages and the speedy elimination of the documentary from HBO’s platforms.

XXL has reached out to Warner Bros. Discovery for remark.

Learn Extra: Russell Simmons Helps #MeToo in Midst of Rape Case

Russell Simmons Sued for Alleged Rape by a Former Def Jam Worker

Russell Simmons remains to be going through one other lawsuit from one other particular person accusing him of sexual misconduct. In February of 2024, a former music video producer filed a lawsuit towards Simmons, alleging he sexually assaulted her when she labored for Def Jam Recordings within the late Nineteen Nineties.

The accuser, recognized as Jane Doe within the grievance, claims the assault occurred whereas she was employed at Def Jam Recordings. Doe alleges Simmons invited her to his Manhattan residence to evaluate a music video edit. As soon as inside, she claims Simmons carried out a “wrestling transfer” on her earlier than pinning her to a mattress and raping her.

Simmons had beforehand been accused by 18 different ladies of rape and sexual assault again in 2018. Based on the most recent lawsuit, Doe determined to come back ahead after seeing the opposite ladies’s allegations.

Russell Simmons has denied all allegations and insists that he has by no means engaged in violence towards ladies.

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