Russell Simmons is seeking $100 million from Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO’s parent company, as his defamation lawsuit over the 2020 documentary “On the Record” intensifies.
Why He’s Suing
The Def Jam co-founder has sued HBO and its corporate owner, arguing that the film unfairly and maliciously portrayed allegations of sexual assault and misconduct made against him by several women.
Simmons has repeatedly denied the claims and is demanding both significant financial damages and a formal public apology from the network.
“HBO you owe me 100s of millions of dollars,” Simmons wrote on Threads. “I need my bread for all my charities and family members, specifically my children. You know what you did was horrific and malicious. You can’t hide. Ask Oprah or anyone [who’s] ever looked at the evidence [in the lawsuit]. You intentionally suppressed all of it. I want [an] apology and 100 million. […] Time to pay.”
The documentary, directed by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2020 before HBO Max acquired and released it in May of that year.
It featured interviews with several women detailing their claims against Simmons.
According to the lawsuit, WBLS reported, Simmons’ attorneys, Imran Ansari and Carla DiMare, argue that HBO suppressed exculpatory evidence, including witness statements, media figures’ support, and input from civil rights leaders.
Simmons’ legal team contend that the network and filmmakers disregarded or intentionally omitted this material, despite it being presented to high-level executives like former WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey.
Simmons’ legal team further asserts that HBO continues to re-release the film globally, particularly in international markets, which they claim constitutes ongoing republication — critical because New York’s one-year statute of limitations for defamation requires proving such recent activity to keep the case viable.
The current $100 million demand is an $80 million increase, though no clear explanation has been provided.
Warner Bros. Discovery has pushed back firmly, with a spokesperson for the company stated it disputes Simmons’ allegations, stands by the filmmakers and their process, and will “vigorously defend” against what it described as unfounded claims.
This legal battle unfolds against the backdrop of Simmons’ life in recent years.
Rolling Stone reported that since relocating primarily to Bali in 2018, Simmons has positioned himself as a yogi and wellness entrepreneur, promoting spirituality, veganism, and a luxury wellness resort he co-founded.
The move coincided with the surge of sexual misconduct allegations in the U.S. against him during the #MeToo era, as well as claims that he failed to fulfill court-approved settlements with several accusers.
Court filings highlighted in Rolling Stone showed that at least five women alleged nonpayment of settlements totaling more than $11 million, with deadlines in 2024 following agreements signed in 2023.
Specific cases included Wendy Franco, Sil Lai Abrams, and Sherri Abernathy, who said Simmons owed over $3 million combined, with individual amounts ranging from about $515,000 to $1.26 million.
Additional accusers — Tina Klein-Baker, Toni Sallie, and Alexia Jones — were reportedly owed at least $8 million, though only around $220,000 had been paid at one point.
Simmons has claimed financial hardship, asserting he owns no U.S. property and lacks the means to pay certain penalties.
However, opposing attorneys have disputed this, pointing to his significant assets, including a reported majority stake in the Bali wellness resort and interests in international ventures.
Two days after Rolling Stone contacted Simmons for comment on the payment issues, an attorney for Franco, Abrams, and Abernathy stated the matter had been “resolved,” though no further details or confirmation of specific amounts were provided.
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