Russell Simmons Steps Away From Companies In Wake Of Sexual Harassment Revelations

[Blue_Adept]

http://deadline.com/2017/11/russell-simmons-exit-sexual-harassment-jenny-lumet-1202217311/

Another alleged sexual predator bites the dust. Russell Simmons has just announced he is stepping away from his empire, and he just released a statement addressing charges leveled against him by Jenny Lumet, the daughter of director Sidney Lumet and the screenwriter of Rachel Getting Married and other films. She wrote a guest column in THR this morning charging that Simmons sexually assaulted her. Responding to a claim by Simmons that he never harmed a woman, she wrote in graphic terms of a night in which, after claiming he would give a ride home, instead instructed the driver to lock the doors, and take her to his home. There, he sexually assaulted her, Lumet wrote. This behavior came after years of Simmons trying unsuccessfully to get Lumet to date him, she wrote.

[underthematrix]

1. Now this is one I expected.

[ATL Ebony]

2. Never thought of him as a predator, actually didn't think of him much anyway. However, I am suspect

of this claim but because of his status it is definitely within the realm of possibility.

I'm suspect because after years of Simmons trying unsuccessfully to get Lumet to date him and she refused, why on earth would you consider being in the position to accept any offer to be alone with him. Seems she knew what he was about and she wasn't interested. Personally, I would not have accepted his offer -- not knowing the circumstances, I believe surely she could have made other arrangements. This is only IMHO.

I'm in no way saying that "she got what she deserved", I'm just saying she seems keenly aware enough not to date him so I can't believe the situation happened. Would love to get his side of things since "his memory of events is very different".

Wholeheartedly agree with his decision to step down from his empire (smart move) -- smells a little like a gold digger to me, again, IMHO.