Lawsuit Accuses Vin Diesel of Sexual Battery

Facts

• Vin Diesel's former assistant has alleged that the Fast & Furious actor sexually battered her during the filming of the Fast Five movie in 2010.¹
• In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Thursday, Asta Jonasson claims Diesel forced himself on her in his suite in Atlanta's St Regis hotel and fired her hours after the alleged assault.²
• In addition to sexual battery, the lawsuit alleges Jonasson was the victim of gender-based discrimination, a hostile work environment, retaliation, emotional distress, and wrongful termination.³
• Jonasson is also holding Diesel's sister, Samantha Vincent, and his production company, One Race Films, accountable for the alleged sexual assault and cover-up.⁴
• However, Diesel has 'categorically' denied her accusation 'in its entirety,' arguing, 'This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly nine-day employee.'⁵
• Jonasson claims she remained silent for years as she had signed a nondisclosure agreement at the time of her firing and has filed the lawsuit now thanks to the Speak Out Act, which allows signees of NDAs to come forward if they've been harassed.⁶

Sources: ¹Ndtv.com, ²Guardian, ³Vanity fair, ⁴CBS, ⁵Los angeles times and ⁶Vulture.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Ts2 space. The issue of sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry will never stop if actors like Vin Diesel are protected from accountability. Jonasson's lawsuit must bring a lasting change and empower women who are afraid to speak out against their tormentors in an industry known for protecting powerful men and silencing survivors.
• Narrative B, as provided by Guardian. Every person accused of a crime must be presumed innocent until it's established in court beyond reasonable doubt that they are guilty. It's natural to rush to judgment without interrogating the facts of a case, particularly when somebody is a celebrity, but Jonasson's lawsuit shouldn't be allowed to demolish the reputation of Vin Diesel before the legal process has even played out.