Fast And Furious Star Vin Diesel Sued Over Disturbing Sexual Battery Allegations
The following article includes allegations of sexual assault.
News broke on Thursday, December 21, that "Fast & Furious" franchise star Vin Diesel is being sued over alleged sexual impropriety, with Rolling Stone sharing information based on the filed lawsuit. The woman leveling the charges against Diesel is Asta Jonasson, who worked as the action star's assistant in 2010 while "Fast Five" was in production.
According to the lawsuit, Jonasson alleges the actor "groped her, forcibly kissed her, and masturbated in front of her" during an incident that took place shortly after she was hired. The woman also claims she was let go from her position the day after the alleged assault took place because she didn't succumb to Diesel's advances. Samantha Vincent, Diesel's sister (who works alongside him at his company, One Race Productions), is also named in the lawsuit, with Jonasson claiming that she helped cover up Diesel's behavior.
Details of the lawsuit against Vin Diesel
According to the claim, Asta Jonasson was compelled to enter the bedroom of Vin Diesel's hotel suite in order to speak with him alone after security informed her that the actor needed to leave the hotel but wasn't answering his phone, allegedly otherwise occupied with the Havana Club hostess he was socializing with. She alleges that he then grabbed her wrists and essentially wrestled her onto the bed, claiming that she was able to get away from that situation because Diesel was extremely intoxicated but that he continued to follow her throughout the hotel suite. "Vin Diesel was her supervisor, was physically larger and stronger than Ms. Jonasson, and Ms. Jonasson was afraid for her personal safety and job security if she were to anger him," the lawsuit reads.
"Vin Diesel proceeded to grope Ms. Jonasson's body, including her breasts, and forcibly kissed Ms. Jonasson, who continually pleaded with him to stop," according to the suit. "Vin Diesel ignored her pleas and started to kiss Ms. Jonasson's chest and collarbone." After more extremely inappropriate alleged behavior, Diesel exited the suite. The next day, Jonasson says she received a phone call from Samantha Vincent, who informed her she was fired from her position as Diesel's assistant. "The message was clear," the suit reads. "Ms. Jonasson was fired for courageously resisting Vin Diesel's sexual assault, Vin Diesel would be protected, and his sexual assault covered up." As of publication, Diesel's representatives have not provided a comment to Rolling Stone.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).