Nationwide — Russell Simmons has averted authorized penalties after a federal choose dismissed a sexual assault lawsuit filed towards him. The court docket dominated that Simmons, who has lived in Indonesia since 2018, falls outdoors its jurisdiction.
The lawsuit was filed by Jane Doe, a former Def Jam govt, who claimed that Simmons raped her in his Manhattan condo within the Nineties. She alleged that he lured her there beneath the guise of reviewing a music video, in accordance with All Hip Hop. The case was filed beneath New York’s Grownup Survivors Act, which permits survivors of sexual abuse to hunt justice regardless of the standard deadlines.
Nevertheless, Simmons’ protection crew argued that the lawsuit must be dismissed as a result of he has not lived in New York or any U.S. state for years. Decide John G. Koeltl agreed, stating that the plaintiff did not show that Simmons was legally domiciled in New York when the grievance was filed.
Simmons has lived in Indonesia since 2018 and obtained a everlasting retirement visa in 2021. He additionally offered his New York condo in 2021, additional solidifying his declare.
The court docket was not satisfied by the plaintiff’s proof, which included Simmons’ social media posts and occasional visits to New York. Decide Koeltl dominated that these didn’t show Simmons was domiciled within the U.S.
In his deposition, Simmons confirmed his standing, stating, “I don’t dwell in America. America’s not my dwelling.”
Though this lawsuit has been dismissed, Simmons nonetheless faces different authorized points, together with accusations of failing to pay almost $9 million in sexual assault settlement monies to 6 ladies.
