Vin Diesel Accused of Sexual Battery by Former Assistant
Vin Diesel, the star of the Fast & Furious franchise, has been accused of sexual battery by his former assistant. Asta Jonasson filed a lawsuit on Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging that Diesel assaulted her in a Georgia hotel in 2010 during the filming of Fast Five.
According to Jonasson, Diesel pinned her to a wall, where he groped and masturbated in front of her. The lawsuit also claims that Diesel’s production company, One Race Films, fired Jonasson in retaliation for resisting his advances and to cover up the assault.
Representatives for Diesel did not respond to requests for comment. The lawsuit was filed with an eye to recent legislation that prevents enforcement of nondisclosure contracts and revives the statute of limitations for sexual misconduct claims.
The complaint details a violent encounter at the St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta in which Jonasson alleges that Diesel assaulted her. She claims that Diesel approached her while she was in his suite and restrained her, leading to a confrontation that resulted in the assault.
In response to the termination of her employment, Jonasson alleges that Diesel’s sister and president of One Race, Samantha Vincent, told her that the company did not need any extra help. Jonasson claims that she was fired for resisting Diesel’s sexual assault.
The lawsuit also alleges that another One Race supervisor made advances towards Jonasson in the days leading up to the alleged assault. Jonasson has brought claims for sexual battery, gender-based discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation.
Empowered by the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, Jonasson seeks to reclaim her agency and justice for the suffering she endured. Diesel and One Race Films have not yet responded to the allegations.
Although Diesel does not have any projects currently in production, he and One Race are attached to produce an untitled Fast and Furious movie starring Dwayne Johnson. Additionally, Diesel is attached to other projects such as a new Riddick feature and a Mattel Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots movie.
Diesel starred as Groot in this year’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and reprised his role of Dominic Toretto for Fast X. Diesel is also expected to star in the upcoming Fast XI movie.