“Fast & Furious” franchise star Vin Diesel faces serious allegations of sexual battery and the creation of a hostile work environment in a recently filed lawsuit by a former assistant.
The civil suit, lodged on Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court and reported by CNN, revolves around a disturbing 2010 incident. Asta Jonasson, Diesel’s former assistant, claims that the actor forced himself upon her in an Atlanta hotel suite, engaging in inappropriate behavior, including masturbation, in her presence.
According to the complaint, Diesel allegedly disregarded Jonasson’s explicit expressions of non-consent. The situation escalated as she attempted to escape, with Diesel reportedly physically restraining her against a wall.
In response to these allegations, Bryan Freedman, Diesel’s attorney, vehemently denied the claims in a statement to CNN. Freedman emphasized that Diesel had no prior knowledge of the allegations, which he referred to as a “more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly 9-day employee.”
Jonasson is pursuing legal action against Diesel, his production company One Race Productions, and Diesel’s sister, Samantha Vincent. The charges include sexual battery, creating a hostile work environment, negligent supervision, and wrongful termination.
The lawsuit alleges that Vincent, who was the president of One Race Productions at the time, terminated Jonasson’s employment mere hours after the alleged assault.
Jonasson is seeking a civil penalty of $10,000 for each violation, along with unspecified punitive damages. Claire-Lise Kutlay of Greenberg Gross LLP, Jonasson’s attorney, expressed a commitment to justice in a statement, stating, “No one is too famous or powerful to evade justice. We hope her courageous decision to come forward helps create lasting change and empowers other survivors.”
Vin Diesel, known for his roles in over 60 TV and film titles and as a producer of the “Fast & Furious” franchise, has upcoming projects in the pipeline, including “Fast X: Part 2.” The lawsuit raises significant concerns about the potential impact on Diesel’s career and reputation.
A former assistant to Vin Diesel sued the actor on Thursday, alleging that in 2010 he pinned her against a wall in a hotel suite and masturbated in front of her.
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— Variety (@Variety) December 21, 2023