Russell Simmons’s Alleged Rape Victim Claims He Fled to Bali to Avoid Accountability

Russell Simmons is facing new legal challenges as an alleged rape victim, identified as Jane Doe, accuses him of dodging accountability by moving to Bali, Indonesia, while claiming to be a “stateless” U.S. citizen. Doe, a former Def Jam employee, alleges Simmons used this argument to avoid the court’s jurisdiction, following her lawsuit that claims Simmons raped her in his New York apartment in the mid-1990s.

In a recent court filing obtained by Rolling Stone, Doe’s lawyers argued that Simmons is far from “stateless” and pointed to his ongoing connections to New York. They cited a Manhattan apartment and office space he allegedly maintains, as well as public statements and interviews where Simmons expressed no hesitation about visiting the U.S. In particular, Doe’s team referenced a 2023 interview with AllHipHop, in which Simmons said, “People saying that I somehow can’t come home… is false. I’m always in L.A., I’m always in New York and Miami.”

Doe’s attorneys assert that Simmons’ statements conflict with his recent claims of being “stateless” and argue that he selectively uses this status as a shield. “Defendant has presented self-serving declarations, incomplete screenshots of unverified scanned documents, and cherry-picked references,” Doe’s lawyers stated, challenging his shifting narratives around his citizenship.

Doe, who claims to be among 20 women accusing Simmons of sexual misconduct, describes in her lawsuit that he allegedly assaulted her using a “wrestling move” to force himself on her. Simmons has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining his innocence in past and present allegations.

As this legal battle unfolds, Doe’s team is pushing back on Simmons’ claims, highlighting his enduring ties to the U.S. and casting doubt on his “stateless” defense.