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Russell Simmons faces new rape allegations

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Russel Simmons (PHOTO: Gallo/Getty Images)
Russel Simmons (PHOTO: Gallo/Getty Images)

Johannesburg - Another woman has come out and accused Russell Simmons of rape.

In a Variety exclusive, Alexia Norton Jones, the granddaughter of book publisher W.W. Norton, details the incident, which she says happened in November 1990.

In the article, Alexia explains that she had gone on a date with the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings and after a ‘pleasant night’ he invited her to see his new apartment in downtown Manhattan.

Once inside, Russell then allegedly ‘pinned her against a wall and raped her’. “It was such a fast attack,” she said. “He pulled my dress up. I must have said no seven to 10 times.”

Alexia claims that after the attack Russell continued to pursue her, calling her at home and even approaching her at social events.

Last year, Alexia filed a police report with the NYPD, detailing the alleged rape. However, it fell through as it was outside the statute of limitations in New York for felonies.

Speaking to the website about her experience, she revealed her decision to come forward was because she wanted to stand with the other alleged victims of abuse by the music mogul and producer.

Alexia’s story adds to the allegations made by over a dozen women who have come forward and claimed harassment and abuse at the hands of the 60-year-old.

One of his accusers include screenwriter Jenny Lumet, who wrote a column in The Hollywood Reporter about her alleged assault in 1991.

Russell has denied the latest claims made against him by Alexia.

In a statement he said, “I’m deeply saddened by this story from Alexia. At no time did she share these feelings about her first sexual encounter with me, which took place roughly 28 years ago. I have taken multiple lie detector tests that affirm I never sexually assaulted anyone.”

Russell, who stepped down from his companies in November after the first set of allegations made against him, added, “Alexia and I dated, were intimate and attended multiple events together after she alleges the incident occurred in 1990. I considered her a friend for all these years and continue to have a warm relationship with members of her family. I believe we last spoke in 2006 when she called to express her disappointment over the fact that I had not attended an event honouring her father.”

Sources: CNN, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety

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