Russell Simmons is taking legal action against HBO Max and the creators of the 2020 documentary On the Record, accusing them of spreading damaging falsehoods and ignoring critical evidence that supported his innocence. In a newly filed $20 million lawsuit, Simmons makes several claims about the film. He says it misrepresented the facts. He also says it left out testimony from over 20 people who denied or contradicted the sexual misconduct allegations against him.
His legal team, Imran H. Ansari and Carla DiMare, told TMZ, “Russell Simmons has filed a claim of defamation in court regarding the film ‘On the Record.’ Despite voluminous support for Mr. Simmons in the form of credible information, persuasive evidence, witness statements, and calls for further investigation by notable members of the media, politics, and the civil rights movement, the defendants simply disregarded it, and released, and continue to re-release globally, a film that tremendously disparaged and damaged Mr. Simmons with its salacious and defamatory accusations, that he vehemently denies.”
Simmons says top executives at WarnerMedia, HBO’s parent company, including CEO John Stankey, were aware of this evidence. He also claims that prominent political and civil rights figures encouraged the company to reconsider airing the film, though they aren’t identified in the suit.
He does name Oprah Winfrey in the filing. Simmons says she was originally attached to the project as an executive producer. She later distanced herself, citing concerns about the credibility of the accusations.
In the filing, Simmons says producers ignored the results of nine lie detector tests he passed. He claims the tests were professionally administered and would have supported his defense.
Simmons relocated to Bali in 2018. He later sold his U.S. properties. He is now suing for defamation, invasion of privacy, and emotional distress.
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