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Russell Simmons Sues HBO for $20M over Defamation in Documentary

  • On June 3, 2025, Russell Simmons initiated a $20 million defamation suit in a New York court targeting HBO, WarnerMedia’s parent company, and the creators of the 2020 film *On the Record*.
  • The lawsuit alleges the documentary misrepresented sexual assault allegations against Simmons by omitting testimony from over twenty individuals who contradicted the claims and that executives were aware of this evidence.
  • Simmons' attorneys assert the defendants disregarded credible evidence, including nine lie detector tests he passed, and sought removal of the film from all platforms due to its defamatory content.
  • The film was directed by Oscar-nominated filmmakers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, and was originally linked to Oprah Winfrey, who later withdrew from the project citing doubts about the reliability of the claims presented.
  • The lawsuit highlights ongoing reputational damage to Simmons, with calls from notable media, political, and civil rights figures for further investigation, while the defendants continue international distribution of the film.
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TMZ broke the news in Los Angeles, United States on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
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