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USA Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Judge dismisses multiple claims in Vin Diesel sex abuse lawsuit from ex-assistant
Judge dismisses multiple claims in Vin Diesel sex abuse lawsuit from ex-assistant Show Caption Hide Caption Elon Musk faces allegations of workplace harassment at SpaceX Elon Musk has been accused of pursuing sexual relationships with women at SpaceX, including a former intern 20 years his junior. unbranded - Newsworthy Over a year after Vin Diesel was sued by a former assistant, who accused him of wrongful termination and sexual assault, the judge in the case is dismissing some of its most potent claims. In a tentative ruling on June 3, Judge Daniel M. Crowley agreed to dismiss four different claims of harassment made by Diesel's former employee Asta Jonasson. Jonasson, who originally sued the actor in December 2023, has alleged he sexually assaulted her in the fall of 2010 during the filming of "Fast Five," the fifth installment of his brand-making "Fast and Furious" franchise. She was then unceremoniously fired, she alleges, a claim that lies at the center of the parts of the lawsuit Crowley opted to dismiss. USA TODAY has reached out to lawyers for both Diesel and Jonasson for comment. 'The Fast and the Furious' turns 20: Vin Diesel recalls fixing Paul Walker's 'goofy lines' A technical rather than substantive error, Crowley ruled that because Jonasson levied her claims under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act, she would have been required to file a complaint with the state's Civil Rights Division within a certain time frame. She would have had to file the complaint within a year of the incident, a deadline which came and went in 2011, Crowley wrote, calling it an "incurable procedural defect" that required he dismiss Jonasson's claims of a hostile work environment, discrimination, retaliation and a failure to prevent harassment on the part of Diesel and his company. While this week's ruling notches a small win for the action star, he will continue to face Jonasson's six other allegations, which include accusations of sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Vin Diesel to stay with 'Fast and Furious' franchise after sexual assault lawsuit What is Vin Diesel accused of? According to the original lawsuit, Jonasson was hired by Diesel's production company, One Race (also named in the suit), to work for him in various capacities, including accompanying the actor to parties and ensuring she was nearby in photos if the actor attended events without his longtime girlfriend. After a late night in September 2010, Jonasson's lawyers allege she was asked to wait for Diesel in his suite at the St. Regis hotel while he entertained hostesses from a club. When the women left, Diesel grabbed Jonasson's wrists and pulled her onto the bed, according to the lawsuit. She escaped and asked Diesel to leave, but he allegedly began to grope her breasts, kiss her chest and run his hands along her waist and upper legs, including her inner thighs. Jonasson was afraid to "forcibly refuse her superior" for her personal safety and job security, but after Diesel moved to pull down her underwear, Jonasson screamed and ran down a hallway. According to the lawsuit, Diesel pinned her to the wall and placed her hand on his genitals and then masturbated, while "terrified, Ms. Jonasson closed her eyes, trying to dissociate from the sexual assault and avoid angering him," according to the suit. Hours later, Diesel's sister and president of One Race, Samantha Vincent, called Jonasson to fire her after fewer than two weeks on the job, the suit says. Though Jonasson signed a nondisclosure agreement when she accepted the position, she was able to file the claims because of the Speak Out Act, which prevents the enforcement of nondisclosure agreements in instances of sexual assault and assault and harassment, and California's AB2777, which temporarily waives statutes of limitations for sexual abuse allegations occurring in 2009 or later. Contributing: Melissa Ruggieri, Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: (4673) and and en Español
See - Sada Elbalad
7 days ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Judge Dismisses Four Claims in Assistant's Sexual Lawsuit against Vin Diesel, Some Remain
Yara Sameh Vin Diesel got a court to throw out four employment discrimination claims against him on Tuesday, but still faces allegations of sexual battery and wrongful termination brought by a former assistant. The assistant, Asta Jonasson, sued Diesel in 2023, alleging that he had accused the actor of groping her, forcibly kissing her, and faping in front of her in his hotel room in Atlanta in 2010. She claimed the alleged assault took place just over a week after Diesel and his production company, One Race Productions, hired her while filming Fast Five. Jonasson also claimed the production company fired her the next day in retaliation for resisting Diesel's advances. Diesel's lawyers previously stated that the actor denied 'generally and specifically, each and every allegation' leveled by Jonasson. Per the suit, Jonasson cited California's AB2777, which, like New York's Adult Survivors Act, allows some sexual misconduct claims to be filed in civil court regardless of whether the statute of limitations had passed. In addition to claims of sexual battery, wrongful termination, claims of retaliation, negligent supervision and retention, and infliction of emotional distress, Jonasson also sued Diesel for four claims under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). However, plaintiffs must first file an administrative complaint with the state Civil Rights Department (CRD) before they can file a lawsuit under the state Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). This gives the CRD time to evaluate the allegations and decide whether to accept the case for investigation. Diesel's attorneys argued that Jonasson's administrative complaint, required under FEHA, was submitted after the one-year deadline, and claimed California's extension of the statute of limitations for sexual assault lawsuits does not apply to administrative filings. Judge Daniel M. Crowley agreed with Diesel's lawyers and dismissed the four FEHA claims. 'Plaintiff's FEHA claims are time-barred because she failed to timely exhaust her administrative remedies by filing a CRD complaint within one year of the alleged adverse action, a jurisdictional requirement for a FEHA lawsuit,' Crowley wrote in Tuesday's ruling. Following the dismissal, Diesel's attorney, Bryan Freedman, said, 'It is unfortunate that a person who worked for the company for less than two weeks 15 years ago in another state is allowed to use the California court system to assert such baseless claims.' He added, 'Next, we will present irrefutable evidence that the remaining fictitious allegations alleged herein did not occur and finally end what remains of this maliciously filed lawsuit.' Matthew T. Hale, an attorney for Jonasson, commented, 'While we respectfully disagree with the court's decision on this limited legal issue, the Court made no factual findings that impact the remaining causes of action in this case. We will continue to advocate vigorously on behalf of our client, who remains committed to seeking justice.' read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
News18
7 days ago
- General
- News18
Vin Diesel Cleared of 4 Discrimination Charges, Still Faces Sexual Battery Lawsuit
Last Updated: A Los Angeles judge dismissed 4 employment discrimination claims against Vin Diesel, but allegations of sexual battery and wrongful termination by a former assistant remain active. Actor Vin Diesel no longer faces four discrimination-related charges in a lawsuit filed against him. However, the case is far from over. A Los Angeles judge dropped those specific claims on June 3, 2025, though more serious allegations, including sexual battery and wrongful termination, are still being considered in court. The lawsuit was filed in 2023 by Asta Jonasson, who once worked as Diesel's assistant. She accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2010, saying he 'pinned her against a wall in a hotel suite and masturbated in front of her." Normally, a claim this old would be dismissed due to time limits. But a new California law has allowed the case to move forward. Signed in 2023 by Governor Gavin Newsom, the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act makes it possible for survivors to bring back certain sexual assault claims that happened as far back as 2009. Still, not all of Jonasson's claims could continue. Judge Daniel M. Crowley ruled that four of them—specifically under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)—were invalid because Jonasson didn't file a complaint with the state's Civil Rights Department within the one-year deadline. In his statement, Judge Crowley explained: 'Plaintiff's FEHA claims are time-barred because she failed to timely exhaust her administrative remedies by filing a CRD complaint within one year of the alleged adverse action, a jurisdictional requirement for a FEHA lawsuit." The dismissal only applies to the FEHA-related claims, including workplace discrimination. Other parts of the lawsuit—such as sexual battery, wrongful termination, retaliation, negligent supervision, and emotional distress—are still active and will go to court. Vin Diesel's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, denied all of Jonasson's claims. In a statement to People, he said, 'We will present irrefutable evidence that the remaining fictitious allegations alleged herein did not occur and finally end what remains of this maliciously filed lawsuit." Though the case has been trimmed down, it's far from finished. The court will now focus on the remaining, more serious allegations, and both sides are preparing for the next steps, which may uncover more information about the incident and Diesel's role. First Published:
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Judge Dismisses Four Claims in Ex-Assistant's Sexual Battery Lawsuit Against Vin Diesel
Vin Diesel had four claims dismissed on Tuesday in a lawsuit brought by his former assistant, but still faces sexual battery and wrongful termination allegations. Asta Jonasson sued Diesel in 2023 and accused the actor of groping her, forcibly kissed her, and masturbating in front of her in his hotel room in Atlanta in 2010. The former assistant claimed the alleged assault took place just over a week after Diesel and his production company, One Race Productions, hired her while filming Fast Five. Jonasson also claimed the production company fired her the next day in retaliation for resisting Diesel's advances. More from Rolling Stone Tom Girardi Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Embezzling Millions From Clients Sean Combs' Accuser Thalia Graves Wins Fight to Dismiss Bodyguard's Defamation Suit Sean Combs Trial: Hotel Security Guard Details Alleged $100,000 Bribe for Cassie Assault Video Diesel's lawyers previously stated that the actor denied 'generally and specifically, each and every allegation' leveled by Jonasson. Per the suit, Jonasson cited California's AB2777, which, like New York's Adult Survivors Act, allows some sexual misconduct claims to be filed in civil court regardless of whether the statute of limitations had passed. In addition to claims of sexual battery and wrongful termination, Jonasson sued Diesel for four claims under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). However, plaintiffs must first file an administrative complaint with the state Civil Rights Department (CRD) before they can file a lawsuit under the state Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). This gives the CRD time to evaluate the allegations and decide whether to accept the case for investigation. Diesel's attorneys argued that Jonasson's administrative complaint, required under FEHA, was submitted after the one-year deadline, and claimed California's extension of the statute of limitations for sexual assault lawsuits does not apply to administrative filings. Judge Daniel M. Crowley agreed with Diesel's lawyers and dismissed the four FEHA claims. 'Plaintiff's FEHA claims are time-barred because she failed to timely exhaust her administrative remedies by filing a CRD complaint within one year of the alleged adverse action, a jurisdictional requirement for a FEHA lawsuit,' Crowley wrote in Tuesday's ruling. Following the dismissal, Diesel's attorney Bryan Freedman told People, 'It is unfortunate that a person who worked for the company for less than two weeks 15 years ago in another state is allowed to use the California court system to assert such baseless claims.' He added, 'Next, we will present irrefutable evidence that the remaining fictitious allegations alleged herein did not occur and finally end what remains of this maliciously filed lawsuit.' In a statement to Rolling Stone, Matthew T. Hale, an attorney for Jonasson, said, 'While we respectfully disagree with the court's decision on this limited legal issue, the Court made no factual findings that impact the remaining causes of action in this case. We will continue to advocate vigorously on behalf of our client, who remains committed to seeking justice.'Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Best 'Saturday Night Live' Characters of All Time Denzel Washington's Movies Ranked, From Worst to Best 70 Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vin Diesel sexual abuse lawsuit: Four claims against actor DISMISSED
has successfully had four claims dismissed in an ongoing lawsuit filed by his former assistant, Asta Jonasson. On Tuesday, Judge Daniel M Crowley ruled that Jonasson's claims under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) were barred by the statute of limitations. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Judge found that while California recently revived expired sexual assault claims under the 2023 Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act, it did not extend the deadline to file an administrative complaint with the state's Civil Rights Department—a prerequisite under FEHA. At the time of the alleged incident in 2010, the filing window for such a complaint was one year. The dismissed claims include employment discrimination and related violations through several serious allegations, including sexual battery and wrongful termination, remain active in the case. Jonasson sued Diesel in 2023, accusing the actor of sexually assaulting her in 2010 during her employment. Although the incident had initially fallen outside the typical statute of limitations, the 2023 law signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom allowed such claims to be revived if the alleged misconduct occurred on or after January 1, 2009. Jonasson's claims of alleged of sexual battery, retaliation, wrongful termination, negligent supervision and retention, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, will move forward, as they are not bound by the administrative complaint requirement. Diesel's attorney, Bryan Freedman, responded firmly when the lawsuit was first filed, stating, 'There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations.' On the work front, Vin Diesel has a number of upcoming film projects, including Fast X: Part 2 and XXX 4 that are currently in various stages of development.
