Russell Simmons Says HBO Max Skipped the Facts and Smeared His Name—Now He Wants $20 Million

Russell Simmons is fighting back against the 2020 HBO Max documentary “On the Record,” filing a $20 million lawsuit in New York claiming the film left out crucial evidence that supported his innocence. Simmons argues that the producers “disregarded or suppressed” testimony from more than 20 witnesses who contradicted the sexual assault allegations.

He says high-level execs at WarnerMedia, including CEO John Stankey, were made aware of the evidence. Simmons also claims civil rights leaders and even members of Congress urged HBO to reconsider. The lawsuit highlights Oprah Winfrey’s departure from the project, noting she “publicly [noted] inconsistencies in the accusations.”

Simmons, who left the U.S. in 2018 and now lives in Bali, says the filmmakers ignored “nine consecutive credible and favorable CIA-grade polygraph” results. He’s suing HBO, Warner Bros. Discovery, and the documentary’s producers for defamation, emotional distress, and invasion of privacy.