Russell Simmons is the latest industry bigwig to be hit with multiple accusations of sexual assault. At least five different women have accused the Def Jam co-founder of various levels of inappropriate contact, from unwanted fondling to full blown rape.
Simmons will be represented in court by former Atlanta mayoral candidate Michael Sterling, who happens to be the boyfriend of model Eva Marcille. The couple are currently expecting their first child together. The hip hop icon is also being represented by attorney E. Carlos Tanner, according to The Jasmine Brand.
Earlier this month, Marcille defended Simmons on social media, saying it is unfair to condemn the music mogul based purely on accusations.
“Allegations and accusations are not facts…how quick we are to condemn an amazing man because of what someone says…what about his denial of these horrible accusations, do they not have weight? I know Russell to be an amazing upstanding man period.”
The father of two has already decided to step down from his various companies, with J.C. Penney and HBO disassociating themselves with his brand soon after allegations were made public.
