Vin Diesel Accused of Sexual Battery by Former Assistant
Vin Diesel has been accused of sexual battery by his former assistant, who claims the assault occurred in 2010 during the filming of Fast Five.
Allegations of Sexual Battery
Vin Diesel, the star of Fast & Furious, is facing allegations of sexual battery from his former assistant. Asta Jonasson has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing Diesel of pinning her to a wall, groping her, and masturbating in front of her at a Georgia hotel in 2010.
The complaint also claims that Jonasson was fired by Diesel's production company, One Race Films, in retaliation for resisting his advances and to cover up the assault. Diesel's representatives have not responded to requests for comment.
Legal Basis for Lawsuit
Jonasson attributes the filing of her lawsuit to legislation that prevents enforcement of nondisclosure agreements in certain situations, as well as a California law that extends the statute of limitations for sexual misconduct claims until 2026. This law has been used by other plaintiffs in New York to sue prominent figures in the entertainment industry.
Several companies owned by the accused individuals have also been named in lawsuits for allegedly facilitating the assaults or negligently failing to oversee their directors and employees.
Details of the Alleged Assault
According to Jonasson's complaint, the assault took place at the St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta in September 2010. She claims to have been asked to wait in Diesel's suite while he entertained other guests. When they left, Diesel allegedly grabbed Jonasson's wrists and pulled her onto the bed.
Jonasson tried to escape his grasp and ran towards the bathroom. Diesel followed her, pushed her dress up, and molested her body. The suit further alleges that Diesel pinned Jonasson to the wall, groping her breasts, and then proceeded to masturbate in front of her.
Jonasson escaped and heard Diesel groaning in the bathroom. Hours later, she was fired by Samantha Vincent, the president of One Race and Diesel's sister. Jonasson believes her firing was a result of resisting Diesel's assault and an attempt to cover it up.
