Screenwriter Jenny Lumet on Thursday accused Russell Simmons of sexually violating her.
Lumet, who’s best known for scribing the Jonathan Demme film Rachel Getting Married and is the daughter of filmmaker Sidney Lumet, alleged in an essay for The Hollywood Reporter that the Def Jam founder coerced her into having sex in 1991, years after they met. She claims that Simmons offered her a ride home from a restaurant, refused to take her home, had the doors locked in a vehicle operated by his driver, and took her to his apartment.
“You didn’t punch me, drag me or verbally threaten me,” she wrote, describing their arrival at his residence. “You used your size to maneuver me, quickly, into the elevator. I said ‘Wait. Wait.’ I felt dread. I was very, very sad. I didn’t know if the driver was a further threat, or an ally. I was both relieved and terrified when he did not get into the elevator. Alone in the elevator, you pressed me into the corner with your body, your hands and your mouth.”
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