Russell Simmons Discontinues #NotMe Campaign As Rape Accusers File Police Report Against Him
Russell Simmons has been accused by 13 women of rape and now it just reached 14. The hip-hop mogul has been accused by a new woman of rape, who also filed a report against Simmons. Simmons's other alleged victim, singer Sherri Hines, has also reportedly filed a police report against him.
Simmons Def Campaign
In November 2017, Simmons first accuser, Keri Claussen Khaligh, came forward and accused him of sexual assault that occurred in 1991. Following Khaligh, writer Jenny Lumet alleged that Simmons assaulted her in 1991 as well. Following these two accusations, Simmons stepped down from his companies and his name was removed from the HBO stand-up comedy special Def Jam that Simmons created.
In December 2017, the Los Angeles Times reported that five more women came forward and named Simmons as their abuser on the same day that New York Times published that three women were also accusing Simmons.
In addition to Khaligh, Lumet, and Hines; actresses, Natashia Williams-Blach, Amanda Seales, and author Kelly Cutrone, are among the women that claimed Simmons raped or assaulted them. Hines visited The Megyn Kelly Show were recounted in detail the night she was allegedly raped by Simmons in 1983.
"When he finished, I ran out of there and I left. I was crying... I just couldn't believe I was just violated like that. And more so that I felt embarrassed, I felt used, worthless," Hines stated.
Simmons's 14th victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous, stated that the "Happy Vegan" author raped her in 1991 at his Manhattan apartment. The report states she was 32 years old at the time when Simmons forced himself on her after rejecting his advances.
Simmons has been determined to prove his innocence by taking a polygraph test, which he passed, and launching the #NotMe campaign. Since the recent news of more reports being filed, Simmons has decided to step back from the "Not Me" campaign. Simmons's rep stated that his reasons for stepping back are not from guilt but because "it's time for the victims to speak."
Simmons did issue an apology regarding Lemut's statements, but still maintained that he was innocent.
"While her memory of that evening is very different from mine, it is now clear to me that her feelings of fear and intimidation are real. While I am totally devastated that she is hurting and pained by her experience the assault didn't happen," Simmons stated.
Simmons is currently facing seven pending investigations from the NYPD.
