Former Vin Diesel assistant accuses actor of sexual battery during filming of ‘Fast Five’
Vin Diesel, star of the “Fast & Furious” franchise, is facing allegations of sexual battery from a former assistant. Asta Jonasson filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Thursday, claiming that the actor sexually assaulted her during the filming of “Fast Five” in Atlanta in the fall of 2010.
According to the lawsuit, Jonasson was hired by Diesel’s production company, One Race, and was responsible for various tasks, including accompanying Diesel to events and parties and ensuring she was nearby in photos if the actor attended events without his longtime girlfriend.
A lawyer representing Jonasson said in a statement, “We are proud to represent Ms. Jonasson and hold accountable Vin Diesel and those who allowed and covered up his sexual assault. The law exists to protect those who have been wronged, no matter how powerful or famous the defendant is. Sexual harassment in the workplace will never stop if powerful men are protected from accountability.”
However, Vin Diesel’s lawyer categorically denied the claim, stating, “This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly 9-day employee. There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations.”
The lawsuit alleges that after a late-night event, Diesel assaulted Jonasson in his hotel suite at the St. Regis hotel, grabbing her wrists and attempting to Grope her. Jonasson was then allegedly subjected to further assault, including being pinned to a wall.
Jonasson signed a nondisclosure agreement when she accepted the position but was able to file the claims because of the Speak Out Act, which prevents the enforcement of nondisclosure agreements for instances of sexual assault and harassment.
Diesel’s sister and president of One Race, Samantha Vincent, reportedly fired Jonasson just hours after the alleged incident. Jonasson stated that she was empowered by the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements to “reclaim her agency and justice for the suffering she endured at the hands of Vin Diesel and One Race.”
Vin Diesel has not yet responded to the allegations publicly, but his lawyer maintains that the claims are false. Despite the controversy, Diesel continues to be known for his work in the “Fast & Furious” franchise, as well as other films such as “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Riddick.”