Russell Simmons Must Face Def Jam Executive's Rape Lawsuit in New York
Music mogul Russell Simmons must face a rape lawsuit in New York state court, despite residing in Indonesia, a judge ruled on Tuesday. The civil lawsuit was filed by an anonymous former Def Jam executive, identified as Jane Doe, who alleges Simmons raped her in the 1990s. This decision by Judge Adam Silvera allows the case to proceed after a previous federal lawsuit by Doe was dismissed due to jurisdictional issues related to Simmons' residency. Simmons has consistently denied all accusations of wrongdoing.
A New York judge has ruled that Russell Simmons must face a civil lawsuit in New York, which alleges rape by a former Def Jam executive. The ruling, issued on Tuesday in New York state court, rejects Simmons' attempt to dismiss the claims, despite his residency in Indonesia since 2018.
Judge Adam Silvera determined that New York law permits the court to exercise personal jurisdiction over Simmons, as the complaint alleges a tortious act was committed within the state. This decision allows the lawsuit, brought by an anonymous individual known as Jane Doe, to move forward. Doe's previous federal lawsuit against Simmons was dismissed last year, with a federal judge citing a lack of jurisdiction due to Simmons' location.
Simmons' legal team also argued that a 1997 severance agreement with Def Jam should lead to the lawsuit's dismissal, claiming Doe had released all possible claims. However, Doe's attorneys contend that the purported release is a "sham" and that her signature was forged. Judge Silvera found a "genuine dispute as to its authenticity," requiring further evidence before a decision can be made on the document's enforceability.
The case will now proceed to discovery, where both parties will exchange evidence and depose witnesses. A court conference is scheduled for August to establish a calendar for this process. Simmons, who founded Def Jam Recordings in 1984, has faced numerous sexual assault allegations since a 2017 New York Times investigation.
Jane Doe filed her lawsuit under New York's Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for certain rape claims. She alleges that Simmons pinned her to a bed and raped her during a meeting at his apartment concerning a music video. Simmons maintains that all abuse claims against him are false. He has also filed a defamation lawsuit against HBO over the 2020 documentary "On The Record," which remains pending.
According to Billboard, Simmons has reportedly settled with at least seven other women who have accused him of sexual misconduct.
