LOS ANGELES, USA – A former assistant to the well-known actor and star of Fast and Furious, Vin Diesel has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles, alleging sexual battery during the fall of 2010.
The plaintiff, Asta Jonasson, claims the incident occurred while she was working for Diesel during the filming of “Fast Five.”
The lawsuit details Jonasson’s allegations of being sexually assaulted by Diesel in his suite at the St. Regis hotel. Jonasson, a recent film-school-program graduate at the time, was employed by Diesel’s company, One Race, and her duties included organising and attending parties with the actor, maintaining proximity to him at public events.
According to the lawsuit, Jonasson alleges that Diesel forcibly pulled her onto the bed and later groped her, despite her objections. T
he suit describes a distressing scene where Diesel continued his advances, leading Jonasson to scream and run away.
She was reportedly fired by Samantha Vincent, Diesel’s sister and the president of One Race, shortly after the incident.
Bryan Freedman, Diesel’s attorney, issued a statement vehemently denying the allegations.
Mr Freedman said, “Vin Diesel categorically denies this claim in its entirety. 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 also alleges previous inappropriate incidents involving other One Race supervisors, pointing to a broader hostile work environment.
Jonasson is suing for sexual battery, discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, wrongful termination, and retaliation, among other charges. The lawsuit accuses Diesel and his production company of attempting a cover-up.
Jonasson cites the Speak Out Act and California’s AB2777, alongside the influence of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, as enabling her to come forward with these allegations despite a previous nondisclosure agreement.
Vin Diesel, whose real name is Mark Sinclair, is renowned for his roles in the “Fast & Furious” franchise and as the voice of Groot in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies. He and his sister have been producers on several of the “Fast & Furious” films.
