Russell Simmons, a prominent figure in the music industry, is facing a new lawsuit alleging he raped a former employee of Def Jam Recordings in his Manhattan apartment during the 1990s. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by an accuser identified as Jane Doe, claims that she was subjected to sexual harassment, assault, and rape by Simmons during her tenure at the label. Simmons has vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that he has never engaged in nonconsensual sex and has even undergone lie detector tests to support his denial.
Doe, who served as a senior music executive at Def Jam, played a significant role in expanding the label's presence on MTV and producing award-winning music videos. However, according to the lawsuit, Simmons allegedly began making unwanted sexual advances towards her, including inappropriate comments and gestures in her office. The lawsuit further alleges that the rape occurred when Doe visited Simmons' apartment to seek his approval for a music video, during which he made explicit sexual advances and raped her.
Following the alleged assault, Doe's career in the music industry was severely disrupted, and she eventually left Def Jam in 1997. She struggled to secure stable employment afterward, citing the trauma of the alleged rape as a significant factor. Seeking damages for loss of employment, wages, and compensation, Doe's lawsuit is the latest in a series of sexual harassment allegations leveled against Simmons. In 2017, amidst the #MeToo movement, multiple women came forward with similar allegations, prompting Simmons to step down from his various business ventures. Despite these claims, Simmons maintains his innocence, denying all allegations of abuse or violence against women.
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