Russell Simmons' Rape Accuser Claims He Fled to Indonesia to Avoid Prosecution
By TheBlast Staff on April 16, 2019 at 2:47 AM EDT
Russell Simmons said he's seeking spiritual enlightenment by spending a long sabbatical in Indonesia, but one of the women accusing him of sexual assault believes he's hiding out in a country that does not have any extradition treaty with the United States.
According to documents obtained by The Blast, Jane Doe has been locked in a legal battle with the former Def Jam mogul after she accused him of raping her back in 1988.
Simmons has been trying to get the case thrown out over "unsubstantiated allegations," and also claims that the lawsuit was filed after the statute of limitations expired.
Doe believes she has a legitimate case, and also claims Simmons "fled to Indonesia which has no extradition treaty with the United States in an apparent attempt to protect himself."
She had planned on sitting Simmons down for a deposition, but now claims, "It is unlikely he will return to the United States to be deposed in this case and face arrest and imprisonment."
Simmons has traveled to Bali many times over the years, but in the midst of multiple accusations last year, he left for the tropical paradise and has not yet returned.
He also stepped down from his companies, including All Def Digital, Def Pictures, and his yoga lifestyle brand, Tantris.
After leaving, Simmons said his companies would be handled by a "diverse group of culture-moving executives" while he works on "personal growth, spiritual learning and above all to listening."
The anonymous woman, who filed a lawsuit last year, claims Simmons raped her after attending a Def Jam concert with her son back in the 80s.
Simmons has denied the woman’s story and accused her of filing a complaint only for "purposes of publicity." He's also accused her of extortion and tried to collect $36,000 in sanctions.
A rep for Simmons tells The Blast, "The anonymous accuser’s assertion that Mr. Simmons is hiding out in Bali, a country that does not have any extradition treaty with the United States, is false, as are her other accusations against Mr. Simmons, which she claims took place 31 years ago. Likewise, the accusation that Mr. Simmons has traveled to Bali many times over the years, but in the midst of multiple accusations last year, has not yet returned is also false."
The rep continues, "The fact is Mr. Simmons has been in and out of the United States six times in the last year and will be back for his child’s graduation. The accuser, who has been convicted of a crime, is hoping to hit the lottery in this case, asking at least $10 million based on these false allegations."
Meanwhile, Simmons remains in Bali and continues to work on finding inner peace.
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