Team Vin Diesel Breaks Silence on Disturbing Sexual Battery Allegations by Former Assistant Asta Jonasson
Hollywood is an extraordinarily eventful place. Celebrities have always been more prone to scandals than success. Famed Hollywood actor Vin Diesel recently found himself amid one such controversy, due to his former secretary filing a lawsuit against the Fast and Furious actor.
A woman named Asta Jonasson, who previously worked for Diesel claimed to have been sexually assaulted by the star. Fans have been asking questions since Thursday when the news of the lawsuit first broke out. The star’s team didn’t keep silent for long and released a statement.
Asta Jonasson’s Claims of Sexual Battery Against Vin Diesel
This Thursday Asta Jonasson filed her lawsuit against Vin Diesel in Los Angeles County. Jonasson worked as the Los Bandoleros actor’s secretary in 2010. This was when Diesel was filming Fast Five in Atlanta. Jonasson revealed in her suit that the actor forced himself onto her and into his bed in his suite at St. Regis Hotel. The suit also alleges that Jonasson resisted Diesel’s very aggressive advances to no avail.
The suit further alleges (via Variety):
“Ms. Jonasson was unable to escape and closed her eyes, scared of angering Vin Diesel by rejecting him further and trying to dissociate, wishing the assault would end.”
Within hours of this incident, Jonasson was fired. And she was convinced that the reason she lost the job was that she was “no longer useful”. These claims took social media and fan spaces by storm and the star’s team quickly attempted to clarify the situation.
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Vin Diesel’s Statement Regarding S*xual Assault Allegations
After the knowledge of this lawsuit went public, Diesel’s team was quick to act, i.e. within hours. Bryan Freedman, who is Diesel’s attorney, made a statement on the star’s behalf on Thursday afternoon. Freedman was firm on his stance and denied all allegations made against his client. His statement reads:
“Let me be very clear: Vin Diesel categorically denies this claim in its entirety. This is the first time he has ever heard about this more 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly 9-day employee. There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations.”
Diesel’s firm denial of any such incident has made the matter more perplexing. Over a decade-long delay of legal action on Jonasson’s part in no way questions the credibility of the allegations. However, it does make an obvious difference. On the other hand, Diesel can get into serious trouble with respect to his career even if the claims are proven to be false. Both parties, for the time being, have made their stance on the matter clear.
