Russell Simmons’ efforts to dismiss a civil rape lawsuit have hit another roadblock.
A New York judge has ruled that the hip-hop mogul must continue defending himself against allegations brought by a former Def Jam executive, rejecting arguments that his residence in Indonesia places him beyond the reach of New York courts.
On June 16, New York Supreme Court Judge Adam Silvera denied Simmons’ motion to dismiss the case filed by an anonymous plaintiff identified as Jane Doe, allowing the lawsuit to move forward into the discovery phase.
“The complaint alleges the defendant committed the tort of rape in New York state,” Judge Adam Silvera wrote in his ruling, according to Billboard magazine.
The judge further noted that New York courts may exercise jurisdiction over individuals who allegedly commit wrongful acts within the state, regardless of where they currently live.
“Therefore, the complaint survives the motion to dismiss stage.”
The Allegations
Jane Doe, a former executive in Def Jam’s music video department, alleges that Simmons raped her in his New York apartment during the 1990s. According to the lawsuit, she had visited Simmons’ residence seeking approval for a music video when the alleged assault occurred.
The case was originally filed in federal court in 2024 under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, a law that temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for certain sexual assault claims. However, a federal judge previously dismissed the case on jurisdictional grounds, citing Simmons’ relocation to Indonesia in 2018.
Undeterred, Doe refiled her claims in New York state court—where Judge Silvera has now determined the lawsuit can proceed.
Disputed Severance Agreement Takes Center Stage
Beyond the jurisdictional challenge, Simmons’ legal team argued that Doe had already waived any potential claims through a severance agreement signed in 1997.
But the plaintiff’s attorneys strongly disputed that assertion, describing the document as a “sham” and alleging that Doe’s signature was forged.
Judge Silvera declined to settle that dispute at this stage of the proceedings.
The court found there is a “genuine dispute as to its authenticity,” meaning evidence must be examined before any determination can be made regarding the document’s validity.
The ruling leaves the issue unresolved and ensures that both sides will have an opportunity to present evidence during the next phase of litigation.
Discovery Phase Ahead
With the motion to dismiss denied, the case now moves into discovery—a potentially lengthy process during which attorneys will exchange documents, gather evidence, and depose witnesses.
A court conference has been scheduled for August to establish a timetable for the proceedings.
Attorneys representing Doe declined public comment following the ruling. Representatives for Simmons did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
A Growing Legal Legacy
The lawsuit is one of several legal battles and public controversies that have surrounded Simmons in recent years.
The Def Jam co-founder first faced widespread public scrutiny following a 2017 investigation that detailed allegations of sexual misconduct. Additional accusers later came forward in the HBO documentary On The Record, leading to multiple lawsuits and settlements.
According to court filings, Simmons has settled claims brought by several women who accused him of sexual misconduct, though some of those women have since alleged that settlement payments remain outstanding.
Despite the growing number of accusations, Simmons has consistently denied all allegations against him.
“Defendant hopes to vindicate himself to the many who have judged him unfairly, for many years, on the untrue and unproven allegations of others,” his attorneys wrote in court filings.
The Road Ahead
For now, Judge Silvera’s ruling does not determine whether the allegations are true. Instead, it clears the way for the case to proceed, ensuring that the central questions—including the assault allegations and the authenticity of the disputed severance agreement—will be examined through the legal process.
As discovery begins, both sides are preparing for what could become one of the most closely watched chapters in the ongoing legal battles surrounding the music industry pioneer.