Russell Simmons files $20m defamation lawsuit against HBO over sexual misconduct docu: Here's a look at his net worth
Russell Simmons has sued HBO for a whopping $20 million. He filed the defamation lawsuit after accusing filmmakers of a documentary detailing sexual misconduct allegations against him of 'suppressing evidence' that refuted the accusers' claims, the New York Post reported.
Simmons has accused the creators of the 2020 film 'On the Record,' a documentary about women accusing the hip hop mogul of sexual misconduct, 'willfully' ignoring evidence 'including interviews, and over 20 witnesses' that were favorable to Simmons. The evidence would have reportedly 'refuted and rebutted the accusations falsely made against Plaintiff in the film' and was presented to the filmmakers, and top HBO and parent company Warner Bros. executives. However, according to the lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on Wednesday, June 4, the materials were ignored. The lawsuit added that the evidence includes 'nine consecutive credible and favorable CIA-grade polygraph results' that HBO 'disregarded.'
The lawsuit also noted that the film's backers were 'requested' to review the evidence by unnamed 'luminaries in media and politics, including but not limited to, civil rights leaders and members of Congress, and other high-profile black leaders.' Simmons alleged that Oprah Winfrey, former executive producer of the film, left the project 'after publicly noting inconsistencies in the accusations.' He also alleged that several news outlets 'declined to publish defamatory content.'
Winfrey, however, previously said that it was Simmons who pressured her to quit the project. She added that she still believed Drew Dixon, the woman at the center of the film.
Simmons has a net worth of $10 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He is best known for co-founding Def Jam Recordings with
Rick Rubin in 1984. Simmons later went on to sell his portion of Def Jam Recordings to Universal Music Group for $120 million.
Simmons' successful career was marred by allegations of sexual assault, which surfaced in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Several women accused him of misconduct spanning over three decades.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
From Fordow to Faridabad: How one nuclear bombing could cause a Chernobyl-style fallout and contaminate India's future
Late on Saturday, American forces launched coordinated strikes on three of Iran's most significant nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz , and Isfahan . Using bunker-busting bombs and Tomahawk cruise missiles fired from 400 miles away, US President Donald Trump ordered a military operation that has since been hailed as 'decisive' by his supporters. 'The president just prevented World War III with this decisive action. This is the 'strength' in 'peace through strength' boldly shown to the world at last,' said Alex Plitsas of the Atlantic Council. In a dramatic scene inside the White House Situation Room, President Trump and Vice-President J.D. Vance monitored the unfolding operation on 21 June. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo Also Read: Countdown to WWIII? Will Iran's response to US strikes spark the first Nuclear-age war? 'This isn't Chernobyl,' say experts, but is that enough? The primary reassurance from Western radiation scientists is that Iran's sites contained enriched uranium, not active reactors like in Chernobyl or Fukushima, as reported by the New York Post. That difference matters. Live Events 'This isn't a Chernobyl scenario,' wrote Aimen Dean on X. 'It's uranium in various stages of enrichment, and even a military strike that destroys centrifuges or disperses material is unlikely to produce a large-scale, long-lasting fallout event.' Still, that doesn't mean the risk is zero. 'With uranium … the radiation doesn't really travel very far,' said Prof Claire Corkhill, Chair in Mineralogy and Radioactive Waste Management at the University of Bristol. But she added, 'You certainly don't want to breathe in uranium particles and you don't want to ingest them either… that will cause damage.' Prof Simon Middleburgh, from Bangor University, pointed to another danger: 'If the centrifuges were to release the uranium hexafluoride, the gas contained within the centrifuges, then it would be a really severe chemical incident.' According to Prof Jim Smith of the University of Portsmouth , 'Highly enriched uranium is about three times more radioactive than non-enriched uranium. But … neither of them are particularly densely radioactive. It wouldn't cause a major environmental contamination problem.' The consensus? The threat is real, but it is local—for now. Also Read: Operation Midnight Hammer: How six bunker busters and 75 precision weapons powered the US's second-largest B-2 strike Nuclear fallout: India in the path of the jetstream Iran may seem distant. But geography—and the winds—say otherwise. The subtropical jetstream, a high-speed air current running west to east, sits directly between Iran and India. It's the same wind system that spread radioactive isotopes from Chernobyl across Europe and from Fukushima to the Pacific. As reported by the Eurasian Times, should even limited contamination occur, Indian cities like Delhi, Amritsar , and Jaipur—along with croplands in Punjab, Haryana, U.P., and Bihar—could be in the path within 48 to 72 hours. The Himalayan belt would also be vulnerable. Fallout here could contaminate glaciers feeding the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. This is not just Iran's problem. It could be India's nightmare. Also Read: After US strike, Iran's 'all-out war' warning puts US forces in Bahrain on edge: What comes next? What makes Iran's nuclear sites so dangerous? Iran's nuclear programme includes: Fordow: A deeply buried enrichment site, once considered impenetrable. Natanz: A major hub for centrifuge operations. Isfahan: A uranium conversion facility. The IAEA confirmed Iran's uranium enrichment had reached 60%—approaching the 90% purity needed for nuclear weapons. 'When you dig uranium out of the ground, it comes in two forms: 99.3% is uranium-238, and 0.7% is uranium-235… what you need in your nuclear reactor,' explained Prof Paddy Regan of the University of Surrey . The enrichment process boosts the uranium-235 content using centrifuges, increasing the explosive potential. This process doesn't involve nuclear fission, meaning no 'nuclear chain reaction' occurs in these sites. But uranium particles—if released—can still poison air, soil, and water. Also Read: US defence secretary hails 'bold & brilliant' Operation Midnight Hammer on Iran: All you need to know No immediate fallout, says IAEA, but warning flags are up The IAEA said it had detected 'no increase in off-site radiation levels' following the US strike. But it was quick to issue a broader caution. Director General Rafael Grossi said, 'Military escalation increases the chance of a radiological release with serious consequences for people and the environment.' His warning echoed an earlier IAEA resolution which states: 'Any armed attack on—and threat against—nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes constitutes a violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Agency's Statute.' Why India must be on guard India may not be part of the strike. But it will surely feel the consequences. 1. Public Health Risks A single gust carrying uranium dust could push India's already strained healthcare system to the brink. Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses would be most vulnerable. 2. Food and Water Insecurity Rabi crops in Punjab and Haryana, rice fields in Bihar, and even glacier-fed drinking water in North India are all exposed. One contaminated season could destroy food security. 3. Trade and Tourism Fallout Even minor radiation detection could lead to export bans on Indian grains, spices, or dairy. Tourism hubs—especially pilgrimage sites—could suffer massive losses. Also Read: US strikes Iran's nuclear sites: Vice President JD Vance says war is with weapons programme, not people India's playbook: What must be done India cannot afford to wait. It needs an action plan—now. Radiation Forecasting and Modelling: ISRO, IMD, and IAEA must jointly track and model fallout scenarios. Stockpile Iodine Tablets: Especially for school children and frontline workers. Shield Water Sources : From floating barriers to filtration units, major rivers need defence. Urban Evacuation Plans: Especially for Delhi, Jaipur, and Amritsar. Diplomatic Outreach: Open channels with Pakistan, China, and Gulf nations to exchange air quality data. Israel-Iran war: A diplomatic crisis in the making This strike could also upset delicate balances in South Asia's foreign policy. India–Iran Relations: Key projects like Chabahar Port may be at risk. India–US Ties: Public and parliamentary backlash over Washington's unilateral strike could strain strategic partnerships. SAARC & ASEAN Pressure: India may be forced to choose between neutrality and leadership. UNSC Voice : Delhi could face calls to press for condemnation of nuclear attacks—against its closest military allies. India now has a chance to lead. Not just in reaction, but in rule-making. A Nuclear Infrastructure Non-Aggression Pact (NINAP) could be New Delhi's answer. Key Proposals: Global ban on kinetic attacks on civilian nuclear sites Emergency arbitration powers to the IAEA Real-time global radiation monitoring and alert systems This could be India's next soft-power success—one that protects lives, trade, and diplomacy all at once. When the bombs fell on Iran, the world watched. But India should do more than watch. It must act. The jetstream will not ask for visas. It will not stop at checkpoints. And it will not wait for a press release. This isn't about choosing sides. It's about protecting 1.4 billion people from a cloud we never caused—but might still have to survive. Let India lead. Before the wind changes direction.
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
JK Rowling on HBO's Harry Potter series: ‘I read the first two episodes and…'
J.K. Rowling has shared a special post about the highly anticipated Harry Potter series. While she would not be penning the scripts herself, the celebrated author revealed that she has read the initial episodes and is thrilled with how the project is shaping up. Sharing her thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), Rowling said, 'I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!' JK Rowling gave an early verdict on the first two episodes of HBO's Harry Potter series.(AP) When a fan asked if she was writing the show herself, she clarified, 'No, but I've worked closely with the extremely talented writers.' As per a People report, J.K. Rowling is serving as an executive producer on the upcoming show, along with Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod. Meet the leading trio of the Harry Potter series In May, HBO revealed the lead cast for its upcoming Harry Potter web series. The big announcement dropped on Instagram. However, HBO decided to turn off comments on the post, probably to protect the young actors from any online negativity. Sharing photos of the trio, HBO wrote on Instagram, 'Dear Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, and Mr. Weasley: We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please welcome Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley to the HBO Original Series Harry Potter.' FYI: Over 30,000 actors have auditioned for these iconic roles since the casting call went out last year. Supporting cast Joining the new trio at Hogwarts are some well-known names taking on the iconic adult roles. John Lithgow steps in as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer will play Minerva McGonagall and Paapa Essiedu takes on the role of Severus Snape. Nick Frost is set to bring Rubeus Hagrid to life, while Luke Thallon will play Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse joins as Argus Filch. Release date HBO has not announced the release date for the Harry Potter series yet. But according to Variety, it will start filming this year and is expected to come out in 2026. ALSO READ: Meet the cast from new Harry Potter HBO series; Here's who is playing Harry, Hermoine and Ron FAQs Is J.K. Rowling involved in the new Harry Potter series? Yes, Rowling is creatively involved. She is serving an as executive producer on the show. Who are playing the role of Harry, Ron and Hermione in the Harry Potter series? Dominic McLaughlin is playing Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton is Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout is Ron Weasley. When will the new Harry Potter series be released? There is no official release date yet, but it is expected to film in 2025 and air in 2026.
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
The Gilded Age Season 3 draws parallels between 1880s New York and today's billionaire boom
The Gilded Age is returning to HBO and Max for its highly anticipated third season on Sunday, June 22. The show is set to once again immerse viewers in the opulence and ambition of 1880s New York. But for creators Julian Fellowes and Sonja Warfield, the story's relevance extends far beyond the velvet drawing rooms of the past. It also connects to the ego-fueled billionaire culture of today, stated a report in the Boston Herald. The Gilded Age is back on HBO with a third season. According to the report, Fellowes, speaking at an event in Manhattan, reflected on the thematic parallels between the late 19th century's industrial tycoons and modern tech magnates such as Elon Musk. Best known for creating Downton Abbey, Fellowes highlighted how the historical narrative intersects with the current cultural climate. He said people in the Gilded Age were not trying to race toward the moon like billionaires such as Elon Musk are today. He, however, admitted that if they could, they would have. 'We're in another kind of ego world,' Fellowes was quoted as saying in the Boston Herald report. Writers highlight how prestige and self-preservation remain unchanged The third season continues to delve into themes of ambition, power, prestige, and human frailty. Fellowes added that the Gilded Age was similar to today's ego-driven world, except people were dressed in corsets and top hats. Co-writer Sonja Warfield noted that although the show is set in a different time, its central themes remain timeless. She added that the universal human experiences of love, death and marriage have stayed the same, regardless of the era. The show, which follows the fierce social battles between old-money families and ambitious new industrialists, explores how wealth was – and still is – used to gain cultural dominance. Fellowes noted that many 19th-century industrial tycoons, like Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick, only turned to philanthropy toward the end of their lives. He shared that the thought of the legacy they would leave behind struck them, which propelled them to start their art collections and donate libraries. The Gilded Age Season 3 streams June 22 on HBO and Max Season 3 of The Gilded Age picks up where Season 2 left off, continuing to chart the personal and political maneuverings of the Russell family and their rivals as they navigate a rapidly changing America – one marked by innovation, inequality and ambition. Season 3 will begin streaming on June 22 on HBO and Max. ALSO READ: Meet HBO Max, Warner Bros. Discovery renames streamer Max after two years FAQs What is the best series on HBO right now? The Gilded Age, Succession, The Last of Us and House of the Dragon are among HBO's most critically acclaimed recent series. Which is HBO's most-watched series? Game of Thrones holds the title as HBO's most-watched series, with record-breaking viewership worldwide. What are the top 10 best series of all time? Lists often include The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, The Wire, Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Succession, The Crown, The Gilded Age, Stranger Things and Fargo. What's the most trending series right now? As of June 2025, The Gilded Age Season 3, Ginny and Georand House of the Dragon are topping streaming charts.
