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New Rape Accuser Suing Russell Simmons For $5 Million
Simmons continues to deny all the allegations made against him.
Russell Simmons has faced a series of accusations pertaining to sexual assault. Now, a new accuser is coming forward and is taking out a $5 million lawsuit against the producer.
According to Deadline, filmmaker Jennifer Jarosik is claiming that she was attacked and raped by Simmons in 2016. The 10-page suit was filed on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Central California.
The two met in 2006 and had shared interests including veganism and new age spirituality. The two had planned collaborations; Jarosik had considered Simmons' “reputation as a spiritual conscious person.”
Two years ago, Jarosik was invited to Simmons' home where he asked to have sex with her. When she refused he allegedly “pounced on her while she was still in shock and fear, and proceeded to rape her.”
Jasorik did not discuss the attack with anyone other than a few friends but has felt empowered by the recent wave of backlash against those sexually abusive men in the entertainment industry.
Simmons “has historically thrived on the sexual exploitation of young women trying to break into the entertainment and music industry, in which young female artists are falsely promised opportunities and advancement by experienced and well-established men in power in the industry, with their careers in jeopardy if they resist the sexual overtures of these powerful men," claims the suit.
Twelve women have discussed their allegations against Simmons on Megyn Kelly Today.
On Instagram, Simmons has denied all allegations made against him.
"Today, I begin to properly defend myself," he wrote in a post on December 24. "I will prove without any doubt that I am innocent of all rape charges. Today, I will focus on 'The Original Sin' (Keri Claussen), the claim that created this insane pile on of my #MeToo ... My intention is not to diminish the #MeToo movement in anyway, but instead hold my accusers accountable. #NotMe Again, this is not a movement against or even in conjunction with #Metoo. It’s just a statement about my innocence."
The New York Police Department says that it is currently “reviewing information” on the situation.
[Photo: Getty Images]
