Vin Diesel accused of sexual battery in new lawsuit
Fast and Furious actor Vin Diesel has been accused of sexual battery by his former personal assistant, who is suing the star for assault during the 2010 film Fast Five, though Diesel wholly denies the claims.
Asta Jonasson has said in the lawsuit that Diesel had pinned her to a wall while performing a sexual act on himself. Jonasson is suing for wrongful termination and claims that she was fired just hours after the incident took place.
The lawsuit was filed on Thursday (December 21st) in Los Angeles and states that the incident occurred at the St Regis hotel in Atlanta whilst the production of Fast Five was ongoing.
Allegedly, Diesel (real name Mark Sinclair) overpowered Jonasson and “ignored [her] clear statements of non-consent” whilst groping her. The personal assistant then “screamed and ran towards the nearby bathroom” before Diesel “pinned her against the wall with his body” and performed a sex act on himself.
According to claims, Jonasson was fired just hours after the incident occurred. “It was clear to her that she was being fired because she was no longer useful – Vin Diesel had used her to fulfil his sexual desires,” the suit claims.
It continues, “Ms Jonasson felt helpless, her self-esteem was demolished, and she questioned her own skills and whether a successful career would require her to trade her body for advancement.”
Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for Diesel, said in a statement, “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 nine-day employee.”
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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