Vin Diesel, renowned actor and producer, is confronting a serious legal challenge as his former personal assistant, Asta Jonasson, filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault during the 2010 filming of Fast Five. The Fast & Furious star denies the allegations, with his lawyer emphasizing that he refutes the claim entirely.
In the lawsuit, Jonasson alleges that Diesel, whose real name is Mark Sinclair, sexually assaulted her in Atlanta’s St Regis hotel during the production of Fast Five. According to the lawsuit, the incident involved Diesel physically overpowering Jonasson, ignoring her non-consent, and pinning her to a wall while performing a sex act on himself.
Furthermore, Jonasson claims wrongful termination, contending that Diesel’s production company, One Race Films, fired her hours after the alleged attack. The lawsuit implicates Diesel’s sister, Samantha Vincent, who runs the production company, as well as the company itself in the termination.
According to the lawsuit, Jonasson felt that she was dismissed because she was “no longer useful” to Diesel and that he had used her to fulfill his “sexual desires.” The legal document states that Jonasson was contacted by Samantha Vincent mere hours after the incident to convey her termination.
In response, Bryan Freedman, a lawyer representing Vin Diesel, issued a written statement asserting, “Vin Diesel categorically denies this claim in its entirety. This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly 9-day employee.”
Jonasson’s lawsuit includes various claims such as sexual battery, gender discrimination, illegal retaliation, emotional distress, and wrongful termination. Her lawyer, Claire-Lise Kutlay, stated in a message to BBC News that Jonasson seeks to hold Diesel and those involved in covering up the alleged assault accountable for their actions. The statement expresses hope that Jonasson’s decision to come forward will empower other survivors and contribute to lasting change.
Vin Diesel, known for his roles in the Fast & Furious franchise, Guardians of the Galaxy, XXX, and Riddick, is one of the highest-grossing actors in Hollywood and also serves as a producer for the Fast & Furious series. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant repercussions for the actor’s career and public image.
Kiki Garba
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