In a newly filed courtroom doc, Russell Simmons claims that the 2020 documentary On the Road is defamatory. The movie, made by administrators and producers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, dove into allegations of sexual misconduct towards Simmons. It was launched by way of HBO Max.
Simmons and his authorized crew filed their summons with discover in New York’s Supreme Court docket on Tuesday, June 3. Within the doc, they declare that HBO, HBO Max, Kirby Dick, Amy Ziering, and the filmmakers’ firm, Jane Doe Films, “willfully, deliberately, negligently, and/or recklessly, disregarded and/or suppressed proof and data, together with interviews, and over twenty witnesses, that had been supportive and favorable to Plaintiff [Russell W. Simmons], and/or refuted and rebutted the accusations falsely made towards Plaintiff within the movie.”
Simmons and his legal professionals additionally cite the difficulties that Dick and Ziering had in getting their movie launched. Initially, Oprah Winfrey was attached as an govt producer, however she eliminated herself from the challenge forward of its Sundance premiere, explaining: “In my view, there may be extra work to be carried out on the movie to light up the complete scope of what the victims endured and it has turn out to be clear that the filmmakers and I aren’t aligned in that inventive imaginative and prescient.” Winfrey’s exit additionally meant the movie would not premiere on Apple TV+.
Simmons and his crew point out that they’re looking for $20 million in damages. A full lawsuit is probably going forthcoming.
In an announcement shared with Pitchfork, Imran H. Ansari and Carla DiMare, attorneys for Simmons, mentioned: “Russell Simmons has filed a declare of defamation in courtroom relating to the movie On the Report. Regardless of voluminous help for Mr. Simmons within the type of credible info, persuasive proof, witness statements, and requires additional investigation by notable members of the media, politics, and the civil rights motion, the defendants merely disregarded it, and launched, and proceed to re-release globally, a movie that tremendously disparaged and broken Mr. Simmons with salacious and defamatory accusations that he vehemently denies.”
In response, a spokesperson for HBO and HBO Max’s mother or father firm, Warner Bros. Discovery, mentioned, “We dispute Mr. Simmons’ allegations, stand by the filmmakers and their course of, and can vigorously defend ourselves towards these unfounded allegations.”
On the Report was launched after years of allegations of sexual abuse and harassment towards Russell Simmons. The hip-hop mogul largely denied the allegations, and he won one lawsuit as a result of a girl’s allegations fell past the statute of limitations. After years with out dealing with main lawsuits or allegations, Simmons was sued in 2024 for sexual assault and defamation.
