Vin Diesel, the renowned star of the “Fast & Furious” franchise, is facing a lawsuit from his former personal assistant, Asta Jonasson, who has accused him of sexual assault during the filming of “Fast Five” in 2010.
Jonasson’s lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, alleges that Diesel, whose real name is Mark Sinclair, sexually assaulted her at the St Regis hotel in Atlanta. According to the lawsuit, Diesel pinned her to a wall and performed a sex act on himself despite her clear non-consent. Jonasson further claims that she was wrongfully terminated by Diesel’s production company, One Race Films, just hours after the incident.
The lawsuit also implicates Vin Diesel’s sister, Samantha Vincent, who allegedly contacted Jonasson to terminate her employment. Jonasson believes she was fired because she was no longer useful to Diesel after the alleged assault.
Additionally, Jonasson’s lawsuit includes accusations of gender discrimination, illegal retaliation, emotional distress, and wrongful termination. She asserts that her self-esteem was shattered, and she felt compelled to question her own professional abilities due to the incident.
Response from Vin Diesel’s Lawyer
In response to the lawsuit, Bryan Freedman, a lawyer representing Diesel, stated that Diesel denies the allegations, claiming that this is the first time he has heard about the accusation, which he describes as a 13-year-old claim made by a former employee of only nine days.
Claire-Lise Kutlay, Jonasson’s lawyer, stated that her client seeks to hold Diesel and those who allegedly covered up the assault accountable for their actions. Kutlay hopes that Jonasson’s decision to come forward will empower other survivors and lead to meaningful change.
Vin Diesel, known for his roles in “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “XXX,” and “Riddick,” is not only an actor but also a producer for the “Fast & Furious” series, making him one of the highest-grossing actors in Hollywood.
The lawsuit comes at a time when the entertainment industry is increasingly scrutinizing issues of sexual misconduct and gender discrimination, and it remains to be seen how this case will unfold in the public eye and the legal arena.
Get your daily dose of celebrity gossip. Follow TheGossipBlog on Facebook and on Twitter for more exciting stories.
