Vin Diesel accused of sexual battery of former assistant in lawsuit
LOS ANGELES, California— Actor Vin Diesel has been accused of sexual battery by a former assistant in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, California on Thursday.
According to a news report from USA TODAY, Asta Jonasson alleges in the lawsuit that the ‘Fast and Furious’ star sexually assaulted her in 2010 during the filming of “Fast Five” in Atlanta.
The lawsuit states that Jonasson was hired by Vin Diesel’s production company, One Race to work for him in various capacities.
According to the allegations, after a late night in September 2010, Jonasson was asked to wait for Vin Diesel in his suite at the St Regis hotel while he entertained hostesses from a club. When the women left, Diesel allegedly grabbed Jonasson’s wrists and pulled her onto the bed.
Diesel allegedly pinned her to the wall and placed her hand on his genitals. He masturbated, while “terrified, Ms Jonasson closed her eyes, trying to dissociate from the sexual assault and avoid angering him,” the lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit stated that hours later, Vin Diesel’s sister and president of One Race, Samantha Vincent called Jonasson to fire her from her post as the actor’s assistant after less than two weeks on the job.
Jonasson had reportedly signed a nondisclosure agreement when she accepted the position at One Race, however she was able to file the claims because of the Speak Out Act which prevents the enforcement of nondisclosure agreements in instances of sexual assault and assault and harassment. She was also protect by a California Bill which temporarily waives statutes of limitations for sexual abuse allegations occurring in 2009 or later.