Russell Simmons files the defamation complaint against HBO on the recorded documentary
In a newly deposited judicial document, Russell Simmons says that the 2020 documentary On the road is defamatory. The film, directed by the directors and producers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, plunged into allegations of sexual misconduct against Simmons. It was published via HBO Max.
Simmons and his legal team filed their assignment with opinion before the Supreme Court of New York on Tuesday, June 3. In the document, they say that HBO, HBO Max, Kirby Dick, Amy Ziering, and the company of filmmakers, Jane Doe Films, “voluntarily, intentionally, in particular, in particular witnesses, which were supported and / or deleted favorable to the applicant [Russell W. Simmons]and / or refuted and refuted the accusations wrongly against the applicant in the film. »»
Simmons and his lawyers also quote the difficulties that Dick and Ziering had to release their film. Initially, Oprah Winfrey was attached as an executive producer, but she withdrew from the project before her first of Sundance, explaining: “In my opinion, there is more work to do on the film to clarify the whole scope of what the victims endured and it has become clear that the filmmakers and I are not aligned in this creative vision.” Winfrey’s release also meant that the film would no longer be first on Apple TV +.
Simmons and his team indicate that they are looking for $ 20 million in damages. A full trial is probably to come.
In a press release shared with Pitchfork, Imran H. Ansari and Carla Dimare, Simmons lawyers, said: “Russell Simmons filed a defamation complaint in court concerning the film At the same time as. Despite voluminous support for Mr. Simmons in the form of credible information, persuasive evidence, declarations of witnesses and calls for a more in -depth investigation by notable members of the media, the civilian policy and the movement of civil rights, the defendants simply ignored them and were released, and continue to reissue on a global scale, a film that With salus and passing charges which he denies by veherence. “”
In response, a spokesperson for the parent company of HBO and HBO Max, Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “We dispute Mr. Simmons’ allegations, we maintain the filmmakers and their process, and we will defend ourselves vigorously against these unsolved allegations.”
At the same time as was released after years of allegations of sexual abuse and harassment against Russell Simmons. The hip-hop magnate has greatly denied the allegations, and he won a trial because the allegations of a woman fell beyond the limitation period. After years without dealing with major allegations or allegations, Simmons was prosecuted in 2024 for sexual assault and defamation.
