Vin Diesel Firmly Denies Former Assistant’s Sexual Assault Allegations:
Hollywood star Vin Diesel, known for his iconic roles in the Fast and Furious franchise and as the voice of Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy, is facing serious allegations from his former assistant, Asta Jonasson, who has filed a lawsuit accusing the actor of sexual assault. Diesel, through his attorney, has “categorically denied” all allegations.
The allegations came to light on Thursday, December 21, when Jonasson’s lawsuit was made public. According to the legal filings, Jonasson, who briefly worked as Diesel’s assistant during the production of the fifth Fast and Furious film in 2010, claims that Diesel assaulted her in his hotel suite in Atlanta, Georgia.
The alleged incident reportedly occurred after a night out with nightclub hostesses whom Diesel had invited back to his suite. The documents allege that once the hostesses left, Diesel “grabbed Ms. Jonasson’s wrists, one in each hand, and pulled her onto a bed,” then proceeded to grope her and kiss her chest while she pleaded for him to stop.
The lawsuit, obtained by Vanity Fair, further claims that Jonasson was instructed to wait alone in Diesel’s suite until he was ready to leave for the night. Following the alleged incident, Jonasson asserts that she received a call from Samantha Vincent, Diesel’s sister and president of his production company, One Race Films. According to the lawsuit, Vincent informed Jonasson that her employment was terminated, which Jonasson interpreted as a retaliatory act after she resisted Diesel’s advances.
Diesel’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, responded strongly to the allegations, saying, “Let me be very clear: 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. There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations.”
In her lawsuit, Jonasson alleges not only sexual battery but also intentional infliction of emotional distress, wrongful termination, retaliation, and exposure to a hostile work environment. Jonasson says she remained silent for years, bound by a nondisclosure agreement she signed when hired by One Race.
However, recent changes in legislation, specifically the Speak Out Act, passed by Congress last year, prevent the enforcement of nondisclosure agreements in cases of sexual assault and harassment, which allowed Jonasson to come forward with her lawsuit.
The Independent has reached out to Diesel’s legal team and One Race Films for additional comment on the case.