Russell Simmons files $20m defamation lawsuit against HBO over sexual misconduct docu: Here's a look at his net worth
Simmons has accused the creators of the 2020 film 'On the Record,' a documentary about women accusing the hip hop mogul of sexual misconduct, 'willfully' ignoring evidence 'including interviews, and over 20 witnesses' that were favorable to Simmons. The evidence would have reportedly 'refuted and rebutted the accusations falsely made against Plaintiff in the film' and was presented to the filmmakers, and top HBO and parent company Warner Bros. executives. However, according to the lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on Wednesday, June 4, the materials were ignored. The lawsuit added that the evidence includes 'nine consecutive credible and favorable CIA-grade polygraph results' that HBO 'disregarded.'
The lawsuit also noted that the film's backers were 'requested' to review the evidence by unnamed 'luminaries in media and politics, including but not limited to, civil rights leaders and members of Congress, and other high-profile black leaders.' Simmons alleged that Oprah Winfrey, former executive producer of the film, left the project 'after publicly noting inconsistencies in the accusations.' He also alleged that several news outlets 'declined to publish defamatory content.'
Winfrey, however, previously said that it was Simmons who pressured her to quit the project. She added that she still believed Drew Dixon, the woman at the center of the film.
Simmons has a net worth of $10 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He is best known for co-founding Def Jam Recordings with
Rick Rubin in 1984. Simmons later went on to sell his portion of Def Jam Recordings to Universal Music Group for $120 million.
Simmons' successful career was marred by allegations of sexual assault, which surfaced in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Several women accused him of misconduct spanning over three decades.
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
The Yogurt Shop Murders OTT release: When and where to watch the unsolved crime docuseries?
The Investigation: Arrests, Doubts, and Dead Ends Inside the Documentary: Trauma, Justice, and Unanswered Questions Streaming Details and Global Availability A new HBO docuseries titled The Yogurt Shop Murders revisits one of Austin, Texas's most disturbing unsolved crimes—the brutal killing of four teenage girls in December 1991. The four-part series, directed by Margaret Brown, examines the tragic case from multiple angles, combining archival material with present-day interviews to reflect on a community still haunted by the unresolved crime took place at a local franchise of I Can't Believe It's Yogurt! where 17-year-olds Jennifer Harbison and Eliza Thomas were working. Jennifer's younger sister Sarah, 15, and her 13-year-old friend Amy Ayers were also present, waiting for a ride home. Shortly before midnight, firefighters responded to a fire at the shop and discovered the girls' bodies. Each had been shot—Amy twice, the others once—and their bodies had been set on fire, likely to destroy evidence. Authorities believed robbery was a potential motive, though signs pointed to the possibility of a staged crime original investigation led to the arrest of four teenage boys, including Maurice Pierce, who was found with a firearm days after the incident. He allegedly told police his weapon was linked to the crime and implicated others—Michael Scott, Robert Springsteen IV, and Forrest Welborn. However, no physical evidence tied them to the scene. Despite this, Scott and Springsteen were convicted in later, advancements in DNA testing uncovered an unknown male DNA profile, casting doubt on the convictions. By 2009, both men were released, and the charges were dropped. Pierce was never tried and was fatally shot by police in 2010. The identity of the true killers remains unknown, and the case is still considered The Yogurt Shop Murders presents more than just a chronology of events. The series includes emotional accounts from family members, including Sonora Thomas, who lost her sister Eliza, and police investigators still coping with the trauma. Director Margaret Brown described how families continue to live alongside the grief, acknowledging that closure has remained elusive even decades Claire Huie, who had previously attempted to cover the story, also appears in the series, reflecting on the emotional toll of engaging with such a distressing subject. The documentary, as noted by Texas Monthly, underscores the psychological scars left behind and the frustration stemming from a justice system that has yet to provide definitive docuseries premiered in the U.S. on HBO on August 3 at 10 PM ET and is available for streaming on Max. Viewers in India can access the series via JioHotstar through OTTplay Premium starting August 4, with new episodes dropping every Friday until August 25. The episodes are titled Fire and Water, The Fifth Victim, Mental Evidence, and In Your Time. The series is also available on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK, Crave in Canada, and Binge in Australia.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Is The Yogurt Shop Murders based on a true story? Here's everything to know about the tragedy
This August, HBO will air The Yogurt Shop Murders, a four-part documentary series directed by Margaret Brown (Descendant). The docuseries, which will be airing weekly and streaming on Max, takes a deeply personal look at the infamous case that shook Austin in 1991, according to a People report. The Yogurt Shop Murders investigates the 1991 unsolved killings of four Texas teens.(HBO/YouTube ) It blends archival footage with new interviews from victims' families, police investigators, journalists, and legal experts. Another Texas Monthly report stated that Brown's documentary is not just recounting facts; it is an emotional series on loss, time, and justice delayed. The series opens old wounds while highlighting the lasting trauma experienced by those closest to the victims. Also Read: Where was The Yogurt Shop Murder filmed? New HBO series revisits 1991 crime scene What happened at the yogurt shop? The Yogurt Shop Murders is based on a true incident that took place in December 1991, when Austin, Texas, was forever changed. Teenager Eliza Thomas (17), sisters Jennifer (17) and Sarah Harbison (15), and Amy Ayers (13) were murdered inside a yogurt shop where they worked. The girls were assaulted and then shot execution-style before their bodies were set ablaze. The case remains unsolved. Also Read: HBO confirms And Just Like That Season 3 will be show's last, Sarah Jessica Parker bids farewell to Carrie Bradshaw In the beginning, four teenage boys were arrested, and two were even convicted in 1999. Yet no physical evidence ever connected these boys to the crime scene. Years later, advancements in DN analysis revealed a new, unidentified profile, which raised doubts about the original convictions. In 2009, the two convicted were released, and the charges were dropped. One of the suspects, Maurice Pierce, was never tried but was later killed by the police in 2010. The true perpetrators are yet to be identified, the Texas Monthly report added. Who all feature in the documentary? The docuseries follows families still searching for answers, such as Sonora Thomas, who lost her sister, Eliza. Also part of the HBO series are the investigators, some of whom now suffer from PTSD from the haunting crime scene, and filmmaker Claire Huie, who revisited the case she once tried to document but found emotionally overwhelming. Also Read: The Yogurt Shop Murders OTT release date in India: Here's when and where you can stream true-crime docuseries The Yogurt Shop Murders: Where and when to watch The series will be premiering on August 3, Sunday, at 10 pm ET on HBO. It will stream on HBO Max in the US. Audiences in the UK can tune in via Sky Atlantic and NOW. Canadian fans can catch the show on Crave, which includes HBO programming. In Australia, the series will be available on Binge and stream on HBO Max starting August 4. FAQs Is The Yogurt Shop Murders based on a true story? Yes, it is based on the unsolved 1991 murders of four teenage girls in Austin, Texas. When does the series premiere? It premieres on Sunday, August 3, at 10 pm ET/PT on HBO and streams on HBO Max. How many episodes are there? There are four episodes, released weekly on Sundays. Where can I watch it internationally? The UK audience can tune into Sky Atlantic / NOW, Canada residents can watch the series on Crave / HBO, while viewers in Australia can access the show on Binge / HBO Max (August 4). Who directed the series? The series was directed by Margaret Brown, known for the award-winning documentary Descendant. Is the case still open? Yes, the case remains unsolved. Austin Police are still pursuing leads tied to the unknown DNA found at the crime scene.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Where was The Yogurt Shop Murder filmed? New HBO series revisits 1991 crime scene
HBO throws the spotlight back on the crime that rocked Austin. The Yogurt Shop Murders, a four-part documentary series from filmmaker Margaret Brown (Descendant), premieres Sunday, August 3 at 10 p.m. ET. The documentary follows a gruesome crime. Four teenage girls-Eliza Thomas, 17, sisters Jennifer Harbison, 17, and Sarah Harbison, 15, and Amy Ayers, just 13-were found brutally murdered inside a 'I Can't Believe It's Yogurt!' shop on West Anderson Lane. HBO's new docuseries The Yogurt Shop Murders premieres on August 3.( The series first debuted at SXSW and will stream weekly on Max. The Yogurt Shop Murders filming locations The murders took place inside a 'I Can't Believe It's Yogurt!' shop on West Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas, on December 6, 1991. The 2025 docuseries The Yogurt Shop Murders was filmed in Austin, Texas. According to People, at first, responders thought it was just a fire. But what they found inside that yogurt shop was something else entirely. The fire, investigators later determined, was set intentionally-likely to destroy evidence. Over the years, dozens of people confessed, many falsely. Also read: HBO's 'And Just Like That ...' ending after third season Authorities focused their case on four local boys. Three confessed by 1999, but the investigation was riddled with issues. The prosecution fell apart. By 2009, all had been released and had their charges dismissed. DNA evidence later excluded them from the crime scene entirely, adding more confusion to a case already marked by missteps and unanswered questions. HBO calls the series 'a haunting' look at how the case unraveled and how it continues to devastate families and the city alike. Brown's approach, known for her patient and emotionally layered storytelling, aims to put the spotlight back on those left behind, rather than just the crime itself. Other residents of the location For Austin residents, the yogurt shop is not just a crime scene-it is a wound that never really healed. Many locals still remember where they were the day the news broke. For those who lived through it, the tragedy became part of the city's fabric. 'They're not forgotten. They're not given up on,' said Angie Ayers, sister-in-law of victim Amy Ayers, in a past interview with People. Brown's series dives deep into the lasting impact on loved ones, law enforcement, and a city still searching for answers. For many in Austin, it's not just a cold case. It is part of the city's history-and a reminder of a night that changed everything. Every year, people still leave flowers near the site. Some pause there just to remember. FAQs When did the Austin yogurt shop murders happen? The murders occurred on December 6, 1991. Who were the victims? Four teenage girls: Eliza Thomas, Jennifer Harbison, Sarah Harbison, and Amy Ayers. Where did the crime take place? Inside a yogurt shop in Austin, Texas. Has anyone been convicted? No lasting convictions; charges were dismissed in 2009. When does HBO's series air? The Yogurt Shop Murders premieres Sunday, Aug. 3 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO.
