A former model named Keri came forward this month with allegations against Def Jam co founder Russell Simmons and filmmaker Brett Ratner.
According to reports, Keri says she was 17 when she met the two men at a casting call, and that they later took her to dinner and then to Simmons’ apartment. She alleges Simmons became aggressive and assaulted her while Ratner was in the room, and that she did not consent.
Both men have denied the allegations. Simmons said in a statement that everything between the two of them happened with her full consent and participation, and added that much of their night was spent in public or around other people. Ratner has said he did not see her protest during the evening.
The Los Angeles Times had previously reported that six women accused Ratner of sexual misconduct, and Ratner has denied those claims as well. Some other accounts have named both Simmons and Ratner in incidents said to have taken place in 1994 and 2001.
Simmons also addressed the wider wave of allegations in a separate statement. He said he supports the MeToo movement and the people speaking out, and that he “completely and unequivocally” denies the allegations of non consensual sex against him.
None of the allegations had been proven in court at the time of this report.
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