Russell Simmons steps down after Jenny Lumet accuses him of "sexually violating" her
Russell Simmons
Russell Simmons  is stepping down from  his  companies after writer Jenny Lumet  daughter of Sidney Lumet  wrote a guest column for The Hollywood Reporter accusing the hip-hop mogul of "sexually violating" her.
Lumet said that in 1991  when she was 24  Simmons  who was a friend  offered to give her a ride home from a restaurant one night. She wrote that when she got in the car and told the driver her address   Simmons  told the driver  "No " and locked the doors. She repeated her address and  Simmons  again said  "No." Then she said  Simmons  took her to  his  apartment.
"You didn't punch me  drag me or verbally threaten me. You used your size to maneuver me  quickly  into the elevator. I said 'Wait. Wait.' I felt dread. ... You moved me into a bedroom. I said 'Wait.' You said nothing. I made the trade in my mind. I thought 'just keep  him  calm and you'll get home.'"
On Thursday   Simmons  released a statement saying  he  remembers things differently.
"I have been informed with great anguish of Jenny Lumet's recollection about our night together in 1991 "  he  said. "I know Jenny and her family and have seen her several times over the years since the evening she described. 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 have never been violent  I have been thoughtless and insensitive in some of my relationships over many decades and I sincerely and humbly apologize."
Lumet said she decided to come forward after  Simmons  vehemently denied assaulting other women who accused  him  of misconduct in recent days.
"I can't leave those women twisting in the wind " she said. "Maybe the recalling of this incident can be helpful. I don't know if it can. "
Last week   Simmons  denied an allegation by Keri Claussen Khalighi  who said he coerced  her  to perform a sex act and later penetrated  her  without  her  consent in his New York apartment in 1991 when  she  was just 17.  Simmons  said  he  was "saddened" by the accusation and insisted that everything that occurred between  himself  and Khalighi was completely consensual and with  her  "full participation."
[TGT] is stepping down from   [TGT]   companies after writer Jenny Lumet  daughter of Sidney Lumet  wrote a guest column for  [TGT]  accusing the hip-hop mogul of "sexually violating" her.
Lumet said that in 1991  when she was 24  Simmons  who was a friend  offered to give her a ride home from a restaurant one night. She wrote that when she got in the car and told the driver her address   Simmons  told the driver  "No " and locked the doors. She repeated her address and   [TGT] again said  "No." Then she said   [TGT] took her to   [TGT]   apartment.
"You didn't punch me  drag me or verbally threaten me. You used your size to maneuver me  quickly  into the elevator. I said 'Wait. Wait.' I felt dread. ... You moved me into a bedroom. I said 'Wait.' You said nothing. I made the trade in my mind. I thought 'just keep  him  calm and you'll get home.'"
On Thursday    [TGT] released a statement saying   [TGT]   remembers things differently.
"I have been informed with great anguish of Jenny Lumet's recollection about our night together in 1991 "   [TGT]   said. "I know Jenny and her family and have seen her several times over the years since the evening she described. 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 have never been violent  I have been thoughtless and insensitive in some of my relationships over many decades and I sincerely and humbly apologize."
Lumet said she decided to come forward after   [TGT] vehemently denied assaulting other women who accused   [TGT]   of misconduct in recent days.
"I can't leave those women twisting in the wind " she said. "Maybe the recalling of this incident can be helpful. I don't know if it can. "
Last week    [TGT] denied an allegation by Keri Claussen Khalighi  who said  [TGT]  coerced  her  to perform a sex act and later penetrated  her  without  her  consent in  [TGT]  New York apartment in 1991 when  she  was just 17.   [TGT] said   [TGT]   was "saddened" by the accusation and insisted that everything that occurred between   [TGT]   and Khalighi was completely consensual and with  her  "full participation."