Judge Dismisses Russell Simmons Sexual Assault Lawsuit Because He Lives in Indonesia

Nationwide — Russell Simmons has avoided legal consequences after a federal judge dismissed a sexual assault lawsuit filed against him. The court ruled that Simmons, who has lived in Indonesia since 2018, falls outside its jurisdiction.

The lawsuit was filed by Jane Doe, a former Def Jam executive, who claimed that Simmons raped her in his Manhattan apartment in the 1990s. She alleged that he lured her there under the guise of reviewing a music video, according to All Hip Hop. The case was filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which allows survivors of sexual abuse to seek justice despite the usual time limits.

However, Simmons’ defense team argued that the lawsuit should be dismissed because he has not lived in New York or any U.S. state for years. Judge John G. Koeltl agreed, stating that the plaintiff failed to prove that Simmons was legally domiciled in New York when the complaint was filed.

Simmons has lived in Indonesia since 2018 and obtained a permanent retirement visa in 2021. He also sold his New York apartment in 2021, further solidifying his claim.

The court was not convinced by the plaintiff’s evidence, which included Simmons’ social media posts and occasional visits to New York. Judge Koeltl ruled that these did not prove Simmons was domiciled in the U.S.

In his deposition, Simmons confirmed his status, stating, “I don’t live in America. America’s not my home.”

Although this lawsuit has been dismissed, Simmons still faces other legal issues, including accusations of failing to pay nearly $9 million in sexual assault settlement monies to six women.