*Add Russell Simmons‘ name to the list of accused sexual assaulters. A woman who was a 17-year-old model in the early 90s also says producer Brett Ratner, recently accused of sexual misconduct, was complicit as well.
The incident happened in 1991 according to Keri Claussen Khalighi. She told the LA Times it happened after she met Ratner and Simmons at a casting call in New York.
The story goes that they took her to dinner and then back to Simmons’ apartment to show her a music video. Khalighi said that is when Simmons began removing her clothes and making “aggressive sexual advances,” the Times reported.
She claims Ratner “just sat there and watched.”
“I looked over at Brett and said ‘help me’ and I’ll never forget the look on his face,” Khaligi recalled to the Times. “In that moment, the realization fell on me that they were in it together.”
According to Khalighi’s account, Simmons tried to force her to have intercourse with him — which she “fought … wildly” — before coercing her to perform oral sex as Ratner watched. Afterward, Simmons reportedly approached Khalighi in the shower and “briefly penetrated her without her consent,” according to the L.A. Times.
RELATED NEWS: HALLE BERRY’S EX CALLED HER A ‘NI*GER’ & ATTEMPTED TO ‘ERASE’ THEIR DAUGHTER’S BLACKNESS
In a statement, Simmons, 60, disputes her account.
“As a long-time social activist, I have applauded the strength of the brave men and women who have spoken out over the past month and made their voices heard regarding sexual assault and harassment,” said Simmons. “I am a supporter of the #metoo campaign and the victims who were previously terrified to stand up and speak out against sexual misconduct. I completely and unequivocally deny the horrendous allegations of non-consensual sex against me with every fiber of my being.”
As we said at the top, Simmons name is now on the list of powerful man to face an accusation of sexual misconduct amid a spate of allegations incited by the Harvey Weinstein scandal.
And for what it’s worth, as of this posting, Bret Ratner has not responded to the allegations.
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
