Russell Simmons has seemed to place his #NotMe campaign on pause, Page Six reports.
The mogul launched a crusade to clear his name after allegations of sexual misconduct came to light. As the accusations mysteriously went silent, representatives for Simmons told the media outlet that he decided to halt his campaign because “this is a time for women to speak.”
In November, the Def Jam co-founder was accused of several forms of sexual misconduct, including attempted rape and rape by more than a dozen women.
He stepped down from his businesses, but took to social media to express commitment to proving his innocence.
“Today, I begin to properly defend myself. I will prove without any doubt that I am innocent of all rape charges,” Simmons wrote on Instagram in December. “Today, I will focus on ‘The Original Sin’ [referring to model Keri Claussen Khalighi, who accused him in the LA Times of rape], the claim that created this insane pile on of my #MeToo.”
Simmons then voiced that he would address claims launched against him by Screenwriter, Jenny Lumet, who claimed she was violated by the mogul.
Since then, Simmons has took to Instagram to post three times. Each time an inspirational quote along with the hashtag was used. There have been no further attempts for him to prove himself in the press either.
“Mr. Simmons’ previous statements stand, and he has nothing to add to [them] at this time,” reps for the mogul said.
