According to a recent report from Rolling Stone, Vin Diesel has been accused of sexually assaulting a former assistant in a new lawsuit.
The woman, Asta Jonasson, says she worked for Diesel briefly as his assistant more than 10 years ago, when she was hired in 2010 while Diesel was filming 2011’s Fast Five. Just a week later, Jonasson says that she was told to meet Diesel at the Havana Club in Atlanta.
As the night went on, a group ended up at the St. Regis Hotel and, after Diesel went up to a bedroom, Jonasson was told by Diesel’s security that he had to leave the hotel, so she went up to his room to get him.
The lawsuit claims that, once entering Diesel’s room, Jonasson was grabbed by Diesel, and pulled onto his bed. Diesel then allegedly “entrapped Ms. Jonasson in a bear hug as she immediately tried to escape his grasp and get off the bed.” After getting up, Diesel followed her and told her not to leave the room, and then once again “forcibly hugged her.”
“Vin Diesel proceeded to grope Ms. Jonasson’s body, including her breasts, and forcibly kissed Ms. Jonasson, who continually pleaded with him to stop,” according to the suit. “Vin Diesel ignored her pleas and started to kiss Ms. Jonasson’s chest and collarbone.”
Jonasson also claims that after resisting Diesel’s advances, his production company One Race Productions fired her the next day.
Lawsuit states victim is hoping to reclaim agency and justice
“For years, Ms. Jonasson remained silent, afraid to speak out against one of the world’s highest-grossing actors, afraid she would be ostracized from the industry which had a pattern of protecting powerful men and silencing survivors of sexual harassment and assault,” the suit states, adding that the company’s employees were required to sign nondisclosure agreements upon hiring.
Jonasson’s lawsuit also accuses Diesel of sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. As for why she’s coming forward now, the suit notes that the “#MeToo” movement and California’s AB2777 act, which allows sexual misconduct claims to be filed regardless of statute of limitations, was a big factor.
“Empowered by the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, and with the protection of the Speak Out Act and recent revival of her claims by AB2777, Ms. Jonasson is unwilling to remain silent any longer and seeks to reclaim her agency and justice for the suffering she endured at the hands of Vin Diesel and One Race.”
