Media mogul Russell Simmons is an innovator and pioneer in the Entertainment industry. But unfortunately a lingering legal battle is attempting to tarnish his legacy. An unidentified woman, known only as Jane Doe, accused Simmons of rape in March of 2018. Up until this point Simmons hasn’t spoken about the allegations but is now ready to tell his side of the story.
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This isn’t the first time a woman has accused Simmons of inappropriate behavior. In 2016 a woman named Jennifer Jarosik accused Simmons of raping her after contacting him for assistance with her documentary. During a meeting at Simmons’ home he allegedly physically and sexually assaulted her. And according to the Associated Press Jarosik wasn’t the only one to hurl those types of allegations against him.
Three women told the New York Times in a story published in December that Simmons had raped them in the 1980s or 1990s, including an executive who answered to Simmons at his record label, Def Jam Recordings.
Two other women, a model and a screenwriter, previously alleged that Simmons raped them in 1991.
Jarosik had told friends about the rape but did not go public or call authorities because she partly blamed herself for not having the strength to fight him off, the suit said.
Though Simmons has had to speak out against rape accusations in the past he has remained quiet about the Jane Doe case. But now he has finally released a statement as he prepares for his day in court.
