Russell Simmons has filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), accusing the filmmakers behind the documentary "On the Record" of defaming him by wilfully disregarding evidence that contradicted accusations of sexual assault against women within his sphere of influence.
In a lawsuit submitted to a New York state court on Tuesday, Simmons seeks damages for defamation, invasion of privacy, false advertising, and other grievances, demanding $20 million in compensation and a court order compelling WBD to remove the documentary from its platforms.
"On the Record" delves into the stories of Simmons' accusers, such as former Def Jam executive Drew Dixon, domestic violence activist Sil Lai Abrams, and screenwriter Jenny Lumet, who bravery came forward to allege sexual assault by Simmons. Produced by Oscar-nominated directors Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering under their banner Jane Doe Films, along with Dan Cogan for Impact Partners, the documentary was initially set for distribution by Apple TV+, but the deal was terminated when Oprah Winfrey withdrew as executive producer due to creative differences with the filmmakers. It was later acquired by HBO Max as its inaugural festival acquisition.
In his Tuesday complaint, Simmons alleges that the filmmakers intentionally overlooked crucial information, including interviews with over 20 witnesses spanning media and politics, which contradicted their narrative portraying Simmons as a music mogul who assaulted and harassed multiple women. This evidence was presented to John Stankey, the former CEO of Warner Media, and Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, both of whom allegedly dismissed the materials, according to the lawsuit.
Furthermore, WBD and the documentary's producers ignored nine polygraph tests and other information that, with proper diligence and adherence to journalistic standards, would have been discovered, asserts Imran Ansari, a lawyer from Simmons' legal team, in the complaint.
Adding fuel to the fire, Apple withdrew from distributing the documentary, and prominent media outlets such as CNN, the New York Post, and MSNBC declined to cover the allegedly defamatory content.
A significant portion of "On the Record" focuses on Dixon, who last year filed a defamation lawsuit against Simmons for attempting to undermine her sexual assault accusations against him. Dixon alleges that Simmons raped her in 1995.
This lawsuit follows another recent suit against Simmons for sexual assault and battery filed by a former executive at the label he co-founded, who sued anonymously as Jane Doe.
At the Sundance premiere of "On the Record," the audience showered the documentary with multiple standing ovations. With its festival reviews, "On the Record" currently boasts a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, while Beandrea July of The Hollywood Reporter hailed the film as "a stunning feat of complexity that's both contained and expansive."
Ansari, one of Simmons' lawyers, is a partner at Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins. Arthur Aidala, another partner at the New York law firm, serves as the lead counsel for Harvey Weinstein in his New York sexual assault trial.
