Fast & Furious star Vin Diesel has been accused of sexually assaulting his former assistant, Asta Jonasson, in an Atlanta hotel room in 2010.
In her lawsuit, Asta, who works in the film and TV industry, claims Vin, whose real name is Mark Sinclair, groped her, forcibly kissed her, and pleasured himself in front of her in his St. Regis Hotel room in Atlanta.
Asta Jonasson was hired by Vin Diesel and his production company, One Race Productions, to be his assistant while he was filing Fast Five.
The lawsuit also alleges the assault occurred on September 10, 2010, just one week after Asta was hired and she was fired the very next day in retaliation for resisting Vin’s advances.
Jonasson is suing for sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
In addition to Vin Diesel and his production company, Diesel’s sister, Samantha Vincent – a producer at the company – is also listed as codefendants and accused of wrongful termination, retaliation, and negligent supervision and retention.
The suit states:
For years, Ms. Jonasson remained silent, afraid to speak out against one of the world’s highest-grossing actors, afraid she would be ostracized from the industry which had a pattern of protecting powerful men and silencing survivors of sexual harassment and assault.
Empowered by the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, and with the protection of the Speak Out Act and recent revival of her claims by AB2777, Ms. Jonasson is unwilling to remain silent any longer and seeks to reclaim her agency and justice for the suffering she endured at the hands of Vin Diesel and One Race.
Vin Diesel joins a growing list of high-profile celebrities who have been sued for sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct including Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jamie Foxx, Russel Brand, Axl Rose, Jimmy Iovine, and L.A. Reid.
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Source: Rolling Stone
