Latest news with #RussellSimmons
Black America Web
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Russell Simmons Sues HBO For $20M Over ‘On The Record' Doc
Russell Simmons has launched a lawsuit against HBO for $20 million over the release of the 2020 documentary, On The Record , which detailed a number of he mogul's sexual assault allegations. Simmons also named the filmmakers behind the production of the documentary. Russell Simmons, 67, filed the lawsuit in a Manhattan court on Tuesday (June 3), naming HBO and On The Record direcctors, Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick as reported by Deadline . In the summons that was filed in court, Simmons' lawyer Imran Ansari laid out their offensive move. 'Despite voluminous support for Mr Simmons in the form of credible information, persuasive evidence, witness statements, and calls for further investigation by notable members of the media, politics, and the civil rights movement, the defendants simply disregarded it, and released, and continue to re-release globally, a film that tremendously disparaged and damaged Mr Simmons with salacious and defamatory accusations that he vehemently denies,' Ansari and co-counsel Carla DiMare shared in a statement. Although the statute of limitations for defamation has long since expired, Simmons and his team are hoping to move things in their favor because the documentary was shown in the global market, thus resetting the timeline. HBO sidestepped the lawsuit, calling it unfounded according to Deadline 's report. 'We dispute Mr. Simmons' allegations, stand by the filmmakers and their process, and will vigorously defend ourselves against these unfounded allegations,' a spokesperson for Warner Bros. Discovery shared with the outlet. Russell Simmons' team claims that evidence could potentially alter the timeline of events and give new weight to the Def Jam Records co-founder's stance that the dozens of women who allege that he assaulted them are selling a falsehood. — Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty SEE ALSO Russell Simmons Sues HBO For $20M Over 'On The Record' Doc was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Russell Simmons sues HBO for $20 million over doc alleging sexual misconduct
NEW YORK — Russell Simmons has filed a lawsuit against HBO and the makers of the 2020 documentary 'On the Record,' claiming defamation for their allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. The record executive, who's seeking $20 million in damages, is also accusing them of ignoring or suppressing evidence from witnesses who 'refuted and rebutted the accusations falsely made' against Simmons, according to lawsuit filed in New York. 'Despite voluminous support for Mr. Simmons in the form of credible information, persuasive evidence, witness statements and calls for further investigation by notable members of the media, politics and the civil rights movement, the defendants simply disregarded it, and released, and continue to re-release globally, a film that tremendously disparaged and damaged Mr. Simmons with salacious and defamatory accusations that he vehemently denies,' his attorneys, Imran Ansari and Carla DiMare, said in a written statement to Variety. In the complaint, Ansari claims the streamer ignored multiple polygraph tests that 'would have been discovered with due diligence and adherence to accepted journalistic standards.' The documentary made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January of 2020 and detailed sexual assault and misconduct allegations against the Def Jam Records founder from multiple women. The project was originally to be produced as a part of Oprah Winfrey's deal with Apple TV, but the media mogul later withdrew from the film and it ultimately landed at HBO Max. Along with the $20 million, Simmons is requesting a court order to have the title removed from all of HBO's platforms. Simmons has faced multiple lawsuits accusing him of misconduct. More than 20 women have come forward alleging sexual assault, many of whom participated in the documentary. A spokesperson for Warner Bros., the parent of HBO, told TMZ the company 'stand[s] by the filmmakers and their process, and will vigorously defend ourselves against these unfounded allegations.'
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Russell Simmons sues HBO for $20M over defamation in documentary
Russell Simmons has filed a $20 million defamation lawsuit against HBO, Warner Bros. Discovery, and the filmmakers of the 2020 documentary On the Record. The lawsuit, submitted in Manhattan Supreme Court, alleges the film damaged his reputation and business interests by presenting a biased narrative that ignored critical exculpatory evidence. Simmons, a pioneer of hip-hop culture and co-creator of HBO's Def Comedy Jam and Def Poetry, claims the filmmakers and network disregarded CIA-grade polygraph test results, supportive interviews, and statements that could have cast doubt on the allegations of sexual misconduct featured in the film. The lawsuit names former HBO CEO John Stankey, and directors Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick, accusing them of engaging in deceptive business practices, causing emotional distress, and violating his legal rights. Simmons is demanding at least $20 million in damages and the immediate removal of On the Record from HBO and all affiliated platforms. His legal team argues that continued streaming of the documentary constitutes a 'republication' of defamatory content, further harming Simmons' reputation. Despite confidential settlements with some accusers, Simmons maintains his innocence, stating he never had a non-consensual or unlawful sexual encounter. The lawsuit also mentions that prominent civil rights leaders and members of Congress urged the filmmakers to consider additional evidence, but their appeals were allegedly ignored. Simmons says the international distribution of the documentary has amplified the damage to his name. The film premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January 2020 and was later released on HBO Max. Before its debut, Oprah Winfrey stepped down as executive producer, citing inconsistencies in the featured stories. Simmons continues to deny all allegations made against him, asserting his legal battle is about restoring his name and legacy.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Russell Simmons Files $20 Million Defamation Lawsuit Over ‘On the Record' HBO Max Doc
Warner Bros. Discovery has been sued by Russell Simmons, who alleges that the filmmakers behind On the Record defamed him by turning a blind eye to evidence disputing accusations that he sexually assaulted women in his orbit. In a lawsuit filed in New York state court on Tuesday, Simmons brings claims for defamation, invasion of privacy and false advertising, among others. He seeks $20 million and a court order that would force WBD to remove the title from its platforms. More from The Hollywood Reporter #MeToo's Tarana Burke on Diddy Allegations: "The Zeitgeist Has Changed and People Are Ready to Believe the Survivors" Russell Simmons Sued For Defamation By Former Def Jam Recordings Executive Russell Simmons Sued By Former Def Jam Recordings Executive Over Alleged Rape On the Record tells the stories of Simmons' accusers — including former Def Jam executive Drew Dixon, domestic violence awareness activist Sil Lai Abrams and screenwriter Jenny Lumet — as they decide to go public with allegations of sexual assault. It was produced by Oscar-nominated directors Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering via their production banner Jane Doe Films, all of whom are named in the complaint, with Dan Cogan for Impact Partners. A distribution deal with Apple TV+ was severed when Oprah Winfrey publicly announced that she was pulling out as executive producer, citing creative differences with the filmmakers. It was later picked up by HBO Max as its first-ever festival acquisition. In Tuesday's complaint, Simmons alleges that the filmmakers intentionally ignored information, including interviews from over 20 witnesses across media and politics, that challenged their narrative that the music mogul assaulted and harassed various women. The evidence was presented to John Stankey, then-CEO of Warner Media, and Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, both of whom disregarded the materials, the lawsuit says. WBD and the documentary's producers additionally ignored ignored nine polygraph tests, as well as other information that 'would have been discovered with due diligence and adherence to accepted journalistic standards,' writes Imran Ansari, a lawyer from Simmons, in the complaint. Also at issue: Apple withdrawing from distributing the documentary and certain media outlets, including CNN, the New York Post and MSNBC, declining to cover the allegedly defamatory content. The majority of the title follows Dixon, who last year filed a defamation lawsuit against Simmons for allegedly trying to undermine her sexual assault accusations against him. The former Def Jam Recording executive has alleged that she was raped by the music mogul in 1995. The complaint was filed on the heels of another suit against Simmons for sexual assault and battery from an ex-executive at the label he cofounded, who sued as a Jane Doe. At the On the Record's Sundance premiere, the audience gave the title multiple standing ovations. With its festival reviews, On the Record currently sits at a 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, while The Hollywood Reporter's Beandrea July called the film 'a stunning feat of complexity that's both contained and expansive.' Ansari, Simmons' lawyers, is a partner at Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins. Arthur Aidala, another partner at the New York law firm, is lead counsel for Harvey Weinstein in his New York sexual assault trial. Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Russell Simmons files $20m defamation lawsuit against HBO over sexual misconduct docu: Here's a look at his net worth
Russell Simmons has sued HBO for a whopping $20 million. He filed the defamation lawsuit after accusing filmmakers of a documentary detailing sexual misconduct allegations against him of 'suppressing evidence' that refuted the accusers' claims, the New York Post reported. 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.
