Kimora Lee Simmons Calls Russell Simmons an ‘Abuser’ in Legal Battle Amid Russell’s Sexual Assault Allegations
The once amicable relationship between exes Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons is no longer. Russell is suing Kimora, accusing her of fraud. In her response, Kimora denies her ex’s claims while also calling him a “serial abuser.” Kimora’s choice of words comes on the healms of more than a dozen women accusing Russell of sexual assault.
Russell Simmons accuses Kimora Lee Simmons and her husband of fraud
Multiple media outlets report that Russell has filed a lawsuit against Kimora and her current husband, Tim Leissner, for allegedly transferring some of his shares in the Celsius energy drink company.
Russell claims the couple did so to fund Leissner’s debts. Leissner is currently facing federal charges in a separate case, including conspiracy to launder money in a separate case. He was ordered to pay over $40 million as a result.
Per Russell, he along with Kimora and Leissner invested millions of dollars into Celsius together. He claims his accountants noticed a “substantial unexplained change” in his portion of the shares.
Upon further investigation, Russell alleges that he discovered the shares were transferred to Leissner and Kimora. In his filing, he notes that Kimora and Leissner “conspired with each other, aided and abetted each other and together engaged in fraud by causing an unlawful conversion and fraudulent transfer.”
Several women are accusing Russell Simmons of sexual assault
The HBO Max documentary On The Record chronicles several women’s accounts of being sexually assaulted by Russell. The most highlighted throughout the documentary is former music executive Drew Dixon, who worked as an A&R rep for Russell’s Def Jam Records in the 1990s.
Related: Reactions To Trailer For Upcoming Documentary Featuring Russell Simmons’s Accusers
She says Russell was a mentor to her but violently raped her at his New York City apartment in 1995. This allegedly came after Russell sexually harassed Dixon for months. After ignoring his advances following the incident, Dixon says Russell created a hostile work environment and blocked her advancement in the company. She soon quit working at the label altogether.
A Rolling Stone report notes over a dozen women to come forward alleging sexual assault against Russell, dating back to 1983. Russell vehemently denies all claims against him.
Kimora Lee Simmons calls Russell Simmons an abuser in legal response in fraud case
Madame Noire reports that not only is Kimora denying Russell’s claims against her and Leissner, but she’s also implying that her ex is guilty of the current allegations against him. According to her statement in her legal response, Kimora has also been a victim of Russell’s abuse in her own way.
Related: New Shocking Details of the Sexual Assault Allegations Against Russell Simmons
“Russell’s continued aggressive behavior not only blatantly distorts the facts, but is simply a desperate PR ploy ignoring the years of mental and emotional anguish, gas lighting, and ongoing harassment he has inflicted on Kimora,” her statement reads in part.
This is a change in tune from past remarks Kimora has made in support of her former husband. She previously told media outlets that she does not believe the sexual assault allegations against Russell.
