Russell Simmons Files $20 Million Defamation Lawsuit Over ‘On the Record’ HBO Max Doc

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As a fan, I’m sharing this news: Russell Simmons has filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. Discovery, claiming that the creators of the film “On the Record” unfairly tarnished his reputation by overlooking evidence that contradicts allegations of sexual assault against him made by women in his circle.

On Tuesday, Simmons filed a lawsuit in a New York state court, alleging defamation, infringement of privacy, and false advertising, amongst other issues. He is asking for $20 million in damages and a court order compelling WBD to take down the title from their platforms.

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Yesterday, Simmons initiated a legal action in New York state court, accusing WBD of defamation, privacy violation, and false advertising, among other offenses. He is demanding $20 million in compensation and a court order directing WBD to delete the title from their platforms.

On the Record recounts the narratives of Simmons’ accusers – Drew Dixon (former Def Jam executive), Sil Lai Abrams (domestic violence awareness activist) and Jenny Lumet (screenwriter) – as they choose to speak out about sexual assault allegations against him. The documentary was created by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, who are also mentioned in the complaint, under their production company Jane Doe Films, with Dan Cogan from Impact Partners contributing as well.

The agreement for a distribution deal with Apple TV+ was terminated following Oprah Winfrey’s public statement about stepping down as executive producer, due to creative disagreements with the directors. Later on, it was acquired by HBO Max for the first time as a festival purchase.

In Tuesday’s lawsuit, Simmons claims that the filmmakers deliberately overlooked substantial evidence, such as interviews from more than twenty sources spanning media and politics, which contradicted their portrayal that the music executive assaulted and harassed multiple women. This evidence was provided to John Stankey, who was then CEO of Warner Media, and Casey Bloys, the chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, yet they chose to disregard it, according to the court documents.

In the lawsuit filed by Imran Ansari, a legal representative from Simmons, it is stated that WBD and the documentary’s creators disregarded nine polygraph tests, as well as other pertinent details that should have been uncovered through thorough investigation and adherence to established journalistic practices.

Furthermore, there’s a matter of contention: Apple choosing not to distribute the controversial documentary and various news platforms such as CNN, The New York Post, and MSNBC opting out of reporting on the potentially slanderous material.

Mostly, the title tracks Dixon, who initiated a defamation lawsuit last year against Simmons, claiming he attempted to discredit her sexual assault allegations made against him. Previously serving as a top executive at Def Jam Recordings, Simmons has accused of raping Dixon in 1995.

The grievance was lodged following yet another legal action taken against Simmons due to accusations of sexual assault and battery, this time from a former executive at the record label he co-founded. She chose to remain anonymous, filing her lawsuit under the pseudonym ‘Jane Doe.’

During the premiere of On the Record at Sundance, the crowd stood up numerous times to show their appreciation for the movie. As it stands now, On the Record has a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes due to its positive festival reviews. The Hollywood Reporter’s Beandrea July described the film as an “extraordinary accomplishment of complexity that manages to be both compact and all-encompassing.

Ansari, who works alongside Simmons as a partner at the law firm Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins, is currently one of Harvey Weinstein’s legal representatives during his sexual assault trial in New York. Arthur Aidala, another partner from the same firm based in New York City, serves as the main attorney for Weinstein’s defense in this case.

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2025-06-04 21:24