Rape lawsuit against russell simmons to be dropped
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An aspiring documentary filmmaker who accused Russell Simmons of rape asked the court today to dismiss the lawsuit. Jennifer Jarosik filed a civil suit in U.S. District Court in January,
accusing the founder of Def Jam Recordings of rape and sexual battery when she approached Simmons seeking help in producing and financing a film. The woman alleged Simmons befriended her,
invited her to his Los Angeles home under the pretext of discussing the film project, and then assaulted and raped her. The lawsuit sought $5 million in damages. Simmons, in his court
filing, said he had Jarosik had known each other for a decade, and that she would make unsolicited requests for his help on various entertainment projects — including a documentary, reality
television shows and children’s books. He offered encouragement, offered to donate a few thousand dollars to one project, and asked a friend who was a documentary filmmaker to help out with
her documentary. The long-time entertainment figure said that on the occasions when they had sex, it was consensual. Both Simmons and Jarosik asked that the case be dismissed, suggesting
some settlement had been reached. A spokesperson for Simmons declined comment. The attorney representing Jarosik did not responded to Deadline’s request.