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RUSSELL SIMMONS ACCUSED OF RAPE, ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE REPORTS

Reports of rape allegations again industry veteran Russell Simmons have been published by The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times.

The NYT piece notes, "In recent interviews, four women spoke on the record about a pattern of violent sexual behavior by Mr. Simmons, disclosing incidents from 1988 to 2014,” NYT writers Joe Coscarelli and Melena Ryzik go on to explain. “Three of the women say that he raped them.”

The other alleged rape victims include former Def Jam exec Drew Dixon; Tina Baker, an artist who was managed by Simmons in the ‘90s; and music journalist Toni Salle.

Although Simmons denies all allegations of non-consensual behavior, he has previously admitted to having a wilder past, but says he has since found peace through holistic tactics like meditation, veganism and yoga.

Shortly after this article surfaced, a new one from The Los Angeles Times appeared; the latter is titled “Five More Women Accuse Russell Simmons Of Sexual Misconduct Across Three Decades.”

“Since The Times’ 11/19 report detailing model Keri Claussen Khalighi’s allegations, five additional women have disclosed new stories about Simmons, including an alleged rape,” it states.

Simmons announced on 11/30 that he would “step aside” from his businesses after he was accused of sexual assault by Khalighi and screenwriter Jenny Lumet.

Natashia Williams-Blach—an actress who appeared in How to Be a Player, a Simmons-produced film—also details allegedly predatory behavior by Simmons, as does massage therapist Erin Beattie.

Two former employees of Tantris—the yoga studio Simmons regularly visited and instructed at—have also come forward with descriptions of “a sexually charged and tense atmosphere.”

LAT also details reports from Sherri Hines—previously known by her stage name, Sheri Sher—who alleges that Simmons raped her in his office around 1983, and Lisa Kirk, who recalls an incident of violent assault in a nightclub in 1988.

Simmons has since released a statement, which reads, in part:

I vehemently deny all these allegations. These horrific accusations have shocked me to my core and all of my relations have been consensual… I have already apologized for the instances of thoughtlessness in my consensual relations. I have separated myself from my businesses and charities in order to not become a distraction. I have rededicated myself to spiritual learning, healing and working on behalf of the communities to which I have devoted my life. I have accepted that I can and should get dirt on my sleeves if it means witnessing the birth of a new consciousness about women. What I will not accept is responsibility for what I have not done. I have conducted my life with a message of peace and love.


The whole statement can be found on his Instagram.

Another Instagram post surfaced on 12/14. Using a photo of the emboldened hashtag, “#NOTME,” he wrote, “Today, I begin to properly defend myself. I will prove without any doubt that I am innocent of all rape charges. Today, I will focus on 'The Original Sin' (Keri Claussen), the claim that created this insane pile on of my #MeToo. Stay tuned! We’ll share information today... And tomorrow the case of Jenny Lumet. My intention is not to diminish the #MeToo movement in anyway, but instead hold my accusers accountable. #NotMe Again, this is not a movement against or even in conjunction with #Metoo. It’s just a statement about my innocence.”

Hours later, Simmons deactivated his Twitter.

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