Current:Home > ContactVin Diesel accused of sexual battery by former assistant in lawsuit -Capitatum
Vin Diesel accused of sexual battery by former assistant in lawsuit
Fastexy View
Date:2025-04-06 10:21:14
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Fast and Furious” star Vin Diesel has been accused by his former assistant of sexual battery while working for him in 2010.
Asta Jonasson filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles on Thursday alleging that Diesel forced himself onto her in a hotel suite in Atlanta. The lawsuit alleges she tried to escape from the room after being forced into Diesel’s bed, but the actor moved toward her then groped her breasts and kissed her chest.
Diesel attempted to pull down her underwear, causing her to scream as she ran toward the nearby bathroom. He eventually forced her to touch his erect penis and began to masturbate, the suit says.
The lawsuit said Jonasson closed her eyes in fear of angering Diesel any further and wished the assault would end.
Jonasson was fired hours later by Diesel’s sister Samantha Vincent, who is also the president of his One Race Productions.
The lawsuit stated that Jonasson felt like she was a “piece of trash” and her self esteem was “demolished.”
“It was clear to her that she was being fired because she was no longer useful — Vin Diesel had used her to fulfill his sexual desires and she had resisted his sexual assaults,” the suit alleges.
Jonasson is suing Diesel and his company for creating a hostile work environment, negligent supervision and wrongful termination, among her other claims.
“Let me be very clear: Vin Diesel categorically denies this claim in its entirety,” attorney Bryan Freedman said in a statement reported by the trade outlet Variety. “This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly 9-day employee. There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations.”
Jonasson’s attorney, Claire-Lise Kutlay, said in a statement that her client’s lawsuit seeks to hold Diesel and those who “allowed and covered up his sexual assault, accountable for their egregious actions.”
“Employers must protect and defend people when they speak up about sexual assault and harassment,” Kutlay said. “We hope Ms. Jonasson’s courageous decision to come forward helps create lasting change and empowers other survivors.”
The Associated Press generally does not identify alleged victims of sexual assault unless they come forward publicly, as Jonasson has done.
Diesel has starred as Dominic Toretto since the “The Fast and Furious” franchise’s inaugural film in 2001. The movies have become big earners at the domestic and international box office, with the past two films each making more than $1 billion.
Earlier this year, the franchise’s tenth installment, “Fast X,” starring Diesel, opened with $67.5 million in ticket sales.
___
This story has been updated to correct that the accuser’s first name is Asta, not Astra.
veryGood! (497)
Related
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- Time to evacuate is running out as Hurricane Milton closes in on Florida
- Nazi-looted Monet artwork returned to family generations later
- Open season on holiday shopping: How Walmart, Amazon and others give buyers a head start
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Severe solar storm could stress power grids even more as US deals with major back-to-back hurricanes
- Al Roker reveals when he learned of Hoda Kotb's 'Today' exit, reflects on life as a grandfather
- Hurricane Milton re-strengthens to Category 5 as it approaches Florida | The Excerpt
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Luke Combs, Eric Church team up for Hurricane Helene relief concert in North Carolina
Ranking
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris Enjoy Date Night at Glamour’s Women of the Year Ceremony
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs appeals to get out of jail ahead of federal sex crimes trial
- You'll Need to Calm Down After Seeing Taylor Swift Cradling Pregnant Brittany Mahomes' Baby Bump
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- 4 people, dog rescued after small plane crashes into Gulf in Hurricane Milton evacuation
- Florida power outage map: Track where power is out as Hurricane Milton approaches landfall
- Washington state woman calls 911 after being hounded by up to 100 raccoons
Recommendation
Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
See who tops MLS 22 Under 22 list. Hint: 5 Inter Miami players make cut
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hot in Here
Judge tosses a New York law that moved many local elections to even-numbered years
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
With new look, the 'Mountain' is back in new Mountain Dew logo
Travis Kelce Shares How He Handles Pressure in the Spotlight
RHOSLC's Whitney Rose Shares Update on Daughter Bobbie, 14, Amid ICU Hospitalization