Russell Simmons Accused Of Raping Def Jam Video Producer in the 90s

Russell Simmons is the topic of another rape allegation.

The disgraced Def Jam Recordings founder is being sued by a music video producer who used to work for the company, Variety reports.  According to her filing, Simmons raped her in the late 1990s during a quick stop at his apartment to go over a video edit. However, once the victim, identified only as Jane Doe, arrived, Simmons overcame her with a “wrestling move” before pinning her down on his bed and raping her. Doe says she told Simmons to stop multiple times and pleaded with him to “get up.”

“She told him she was ‘serious’ and she ‘meant it.’ But Ms. Doe was forcefully pinned, could not move under his weight, and Mr. Simmons would not listen to her,” the disturbing filing read.

Doe says that leading up to the rape, Simmons would constantly harass her inside her Def Jam office, making sexual advances while in a work setting. Unfortunately, after the assault, Doe’s thriving career was “disrupted and derailed” by Simmons. Doe eventually became a successful writer and producer in entertainment, meaning if her identity were made public, many would likely recognize her. This could potentially interfere with her career once again.

In May 2023, Doe shockingly ran into Simmons at a yoga class. He allegedly said her name, to which she replied by asking if she could sit next to him. She claims Simmons responded, “Of course. What, do you think I’m gonna try and f**k you?”

Doe is seeking damages stemming from the emotional distress she has suffered as a result of the attack. She filed the lawsuit under New York’s Adult Survivors Act and the New York City Gender Motivated Violence Act.