Russell Simmons, facing a lawsuit from a former Def Jam executive who is accusing him of sexual harassment and battery, has been accused of avoiding a deposition, In Touch can confirm.
Court filings obtained by In Touch reveal that the accuser, who is referred to as Jane Doe in the suit, requested that Russell, now 66, be questioned under oath via Zoom.
According to Jane Doe and her legal team, discussions with Simmons’ attorneys have led to a deadlock on significant matters in the case. Jane Doe sought to have Russell and several past Def Jam employees deposed.
The court ruled that depositions should proceed, despite Simmons’ attorney arguing they are excessive and burdensome
Def Jam Productions, which Simmons co-founded in 1984, plays a central role in the case. In the same documents, Jane Doe stated that Simmons has not yet responded to a list of inquiries she had submitted and suggested that a deposition could eliminate the need for further interrogatories, though Russell has not agreed to either.
Jane Doe’s lawsuit accuses Simmons of raping her at his Manhattan apartment while she was employed as a senior music executive at Def Jam.
The legal filing describes how Jane Doe, while advancing her career at Def Jam, was allegedly subjected to sexual harassment and assault by Simmons, whose wealth and influence reportedly shielded him from accountability for many years.
Jane Doe claimed she visited Russell’s New York apartment, a typical meeting spot, to discuss a music video, where the situation allegedly turned violent.
The lawsuit details how Simmons initially tried to engage in what appeared to be playful behavior, but it quickly escalated as he forcibly pinned her down and ignored her repeated pleas for him to stop, finally raping her.
Her legal representative also stated that the traumatic incident left Jane Doe suffering from severe emotional distress, anxiety, and self-esteem issues at the height of her career at Def Jam.
Despite trying to maintain her role within the company, she resigned from the position she loved shortly after the alleged assault. Her lawyer further noted that Jane Doe eventually confided in a small circle of trusted friends and sought therapy to cope with the repercussions of the incident.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for the alleged assault. Russell Simmons has denied all accusations, claiming that the incident never occurred. He also argued that Jane Doe’s claims should be dismissed based on a 1997 agreement that, according to him, resolved any potential legal action.
In a recent filing, Simmons contended that the case should be thrown out as he no longer resides in the United States, having relocated to Bali. He presented evidence, including a Balinese driver’s license, proof of selling his New York property in 2021, and details about his bank accounts in Bali.
Simmons’ attorney additionally claimed that a deposition would be excessive and unnecessary, considering the limited scope of discovery in the case. They viewed the deposition request as burdensome and potentially an attempt to harass their client, who is already cooperating by providing relevant documents.
Last week, the court ruled against Jane Doe’s requests for documents, labeling them as too broad and burdensome. However, the judge did approve that depositions should proceed. Separately, In Touch also reported that Russell Simmons is embroiled in a legal dispute with his ex-wife, Kimora Lee Simmons.
