By: Wayne D. Ayers II
Russell Simmons is stepping down from his companies due to an accusation of harassment and sexual assault.
Simmons, the founder of hip-hop music label Def Jam Recordings and CEO of Rush Communications, released a statement on Thursday after screenwriter Jenny Lumet accused him of forcing her to have sex with him in 1991. She detailed the encounter in a guest column published by The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday.
“I have been informed with great anguish of Jenny Lumet’s recollection about our night together in 1991,” Simmons said in a statement. “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.”
The statement continued: “This is a time of great transition. The voices of the voiceless, those who have been hurt or shamed, deserve and need to be heard. As the corridors of power inevitably make way for a new generation, I don’t want to be a distraction so I am removing myself from the businesses that I founded. The companies will now be run by a new and diverse generation of extraordinary executives who are moving the culture and consciousness forward. I will convert the studio for yogic science into a not-for-profit center of learning and healing. As for me, I will step aside and commit myself to continuing my personal growth, spiritual learning and above all to listening.”
On November 19, the Los Angeles Times published a report that detailed allegations of sexual misconduct made against director Brett Ratner and Simmons. A woman quoted in the story said Ratner and Simmons, 60, were “in it together.”
Ratner and Simmons denied the allegations, with Simmons adding that, “abusing women in any way shape or form violates the very core of my being.”
7 comments
Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem together with your web site in web explorer, could test thisK IE still is the market chief and a big section of other people will leave out your wonderful writing due to this problem.
Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam comments? If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can recommend? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any help is very much appreciated.
I was suggested this web site by way of my cousin. I’m now not certain whether or not this put up is written by him as nobody else recognize such targeted about my problem. You’re incredible! Thank you!
Good day! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this page to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
Its fantastic as your other posts : D, thankyou for putting up. “Talent does what it can genius does what it must.” by Edward George Bulwer-Lytton.
They always try to screw the black man.