Simmons accused of rape in lawsuit

Def Jam founder Russell Simmons was accused in a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday afternoon of raping a woman in 2016 at his Hollywood Hills home.

The allegation from Jennifer Jarosik, a documentary filmmaker, comes after nearly a dozen women came forward in media reports to accuse the hip-hop mogul of rape and sexual assault over three decades. At least three of the women alleged Simmons had raped them.

The New York Police Department said last month it had opened an investigation into Simmons, who has styled himself as a yoga and meditation guru in recent years. He announced he was stepping down from his businesses after the allegations emerged.

Simmons has denied the claims against him and on Wednesday called the allegations in the lawsuit “hurtful” and “absolutely untrue.”

“I look forward to having my day in court — where, unlike the court of public opinion, I will have the ability to make use of fair processes that ensure that justice will be done and that the full truth will be known,” Simmons said in a statement. “In the meantime … I will not litigate this matter in the media. I am confident that when all is said and all is done, it will be as clear to others as it is to me that I did not do what this lawsuit accuses me of doing. These horrific accusations have shocked me to my core and all of my relations have been consensual.”

In the suit filed in Los Angeles, Jarosik, 37, alleged that Simmons invited her to his home to discuss her documentary film project in August 2016. When she rebuffed his advances for sex, he got aggressive and pushed her onto his bed, she alleged. The suit seeks $5 million in damages.