New York — Music mogul Russell Simmons has filed a $20 million lawsuit against HBO and the creators of the 2020 documentary On the Record, alleging defamation and suppression of evidence favorable to his defense.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Manhattan civil court by attorney Imran Ansari, accuses directors Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick, along with HBO’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, of releasing a documentary that presented “salacious and defamatory accusations” while ignoring credible information that supported Simmons’ version of events.
The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020 and was later released on HBO Max, focuses on multiple sexual assault allegations made against Simmons by over 20 women. The suit claims the filmmakers disregarded witness statements and persuasive evidence offered by Simmons’ representatives, including appeals from civil rights leaders and members of Congress urging further investigation.
“Despite voluminous support for Mr. Simmons… the defendants simply disregarded it, and released, and continue to re-release globally, a film that tremendously disparaged and damaged Mr. Simmons,” read a joint statement from Ansari and co-counsel Carla DiMare.
Warner Bros. Discovery has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement, the company said: “We dispute Mr. Simmons’ allegations, stand by the filmmakers and their process, and will vigorously defend ourselves against these unfounded claims.”
Under New York law, defamation claims must be filed within one year of publication. Simmons’ legal team is attempting to use the film’s continued international distribution as a basis for arguing ongoing “republication,” which may extend the legal window for the case.
The documentary was originally set for release via Apple TV+ under Oprah Winfrey’s content deal but was dropped after her departure from the project. HBO Max later acquired and distributed the film.
Simmons is also demanding the documentary’s removal from HBO platforms and is seeking at least $20 million in damages.
According to the complaint, Simmons’ team made direct appeals to top HBO and WarnerMedia executives, including Casey Bloys and then-CEO John Stankey, but received no response.
Simmons has previously faced several sexual misconduct lawsuits. In November 2023, he reached a confidential $1.26 million settlement with Sil Lai Abrams, one of the women featured in the documentary.
Attorney Imran Ansari is a partner at Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins, the law firm currently representing Harvey Weinstein in his ongoing criminal retrial.
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