Russell Simmons, the pioneering hip-hop mogul and co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, has filed a $20 million defamation lawsuit in opposition to HBO, HBO Max, and the creators of the 2020 documentary On the File. The movie, directed by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, delves into a number of allegations of sexual assault and misconduct in opposition to Simmons, primarily from the Nineteen Eighties and Nineteen Nineties.
Allegations of Suppressed Proof
Filed on June 3 in New York Supreme Courtroom, Simmons’ lawsuit claims that the filmmakers and HBO “willfully, deliberately, negligently, and/or recklessly disregarded and/or suppressed proof and data” that would have supported his innocence. Particularly, Simmons alleges that over 20 favorable witness interviews and 9 polygraph exams have been omitted from the documentary.
His authorized group argues that regardless of presenting this materials to HBO and Warner Bros. executives, it was disregarded. Simmons contends that the movie’s continued availability constitutes “republication,” thereby extending the statute of limitations for defamation claims.
HBO and Filmmakers Reply
Warner Bros. Discovery, the mother or father firm of HBO, has rejected Simmons’ claims and pledged to defend the filmmakers’ work. Director Amy Ziering said, “We at all times do a really rigorous means of vetting,” emphasizing the documentary’s thorough fact-checking course of.
The documentary premiered on the Sundance Movie Competition in 2020 and was later launched on HBO Max. Initially, Oprah Winfrey was connected as an govt producer however withdrew her assist previous to its premiere, citing artistic variations and issues in regards to the movie’s completeness.
Broader Context
Simmons has confronted a number of allegations of sexual misconduct through the years, a few of which have expired beneath the statute of limitations. In 2024, he was sued once more for sexual assault and defamation.
The authorized dispute arises amid a broader dialog about accountability within the leisure business, with different figures like Sean “Diddy” Combs and Chris Brown going through authorized battles over documentary allegations.
Because the case proceeds, it highlights the continued tensions between public figures searching for to guard their reputations and filmmakers aiming to make clear alleged misconduct.
