NYPD Investigating Russell Simmons Following Sexual Assault Claims
The Def Jam Recordings co-founder could be in big trouble.
People reports that the New York Police Department has officially opened an investigation into Russell Simmons' alleged incidents of sexual misconduct. The magazine notes that 7 of the at least 12 reported incidents occurred in New York City.
On Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, Sgt. Brendan Ryan told People, "The NYPD has received information regarding allegations involving Russell Simmons in the NYC area and our detectives are in the process of reviewing that information."
Simmons, who recently stepped down from his businesses, reportedly "fully supports and will cooperate" with the police.
As Nicki Swift previously reported, Simmons was accused of sexual misconduct in a November 2017 article in the Los Angeles Times. Those allegations were then followed by several other accounts detailing alleged sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape.
On Dec. 15, 2017, PR bigshot and America's Next Top Model judge Kelly Cutrone told Page Six that she'd nearly been raped by Simmons but had managed to escape after threatening to tell the media about his behavior and to have him killed. Cutrone said she was inspired to come forward with her story after Simmons denied any wrongdoing on social media.
In a lengthy post on Instagram, he wrote, in part, "I vehemently deny all these allegations. These horrific accusations have shocked me to my core and all of my relations have been consensual."
Sharing a picture that read, "#NotMe," an obvious response to the #MeToo movement, Simmons also vowed to clear his name—starting by taking down the first allegations made against him by model Keri Claussen Khalighi.
According to TMZ, Simmons took a polygraph test on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, in an attempt to prove his innocence. He reportedly passed the test and plans to continue taking additional tests regarding each allegation he faces. The gossip rag reports that Simmons will release the results once he's finished.
While we wait to learn more about the NYPD investigation, read all about the other men who've been called out for sexual misconduct since the Harvey Weinstein scandal broke in October.