A woman identified only as Jane Doe is suing Def Jam founder Russell Simmons for $10 million, alleging he raped her after a concert she attended in Sacramento with her elementary-school-age son.
In a suit filed today in Los Angeles Superior Court (read it here), the woman claims that Simmons approached her during the concert and invited her and her son to come backstage to meet some of the Def Jam artists. The music industry veteran extended an invitation for the woman to join him at an “after party” at his hotel, now-closed Clarion, after she dropped off her son at home with a babysitter.
According to the suit, they socialized at the hotel bar, went together to the CoCo Palm nightclub and returned to his hotel — with the intent, she said, of continuing their conversation, according to the complaint. Simmons invited the woman to his room, claiming he had no interest in having sex.
“Assured by Simmons’ lies, Jane accompanied Simmons to his, Jane accompanied Simmons to his room,” the suit alleges. “After entering the room, Simmons shut the door and said “I am going to f__k you.” Plaintiff said she had no intention of having sexual relations with Simmons, but he replied “I am going to f__k you or I’m going to f__k your son. You decide.”
The suit claims Simmons threw her on the bed and raped her. At least one woman saw her leave the room in tears, she alleges, and she told several others of the assault, “Therefore there is substantial independent corroboration of the horrific event,” the suit claims.
The woman is seeking damages for the assault and the emotional toll it inflicted. At least 15 women have accused the music mogul of sexual misconduct.
Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.