Russell Simmons has filed a $20 million lawsuit against Warner Bros. Discovery and the filmmakers behind the 2020 documentary On the Record, claiming he was defamed by the way he was portrayed in the project, which centers on sexual assault allegations made against him.
Filed Tuesday in New York state court, the suit accuses the documentary team, including Oscar-nominated directors Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, of ignoring evidence and testimony that could have challenged the narrative presented in the film. Simmons alleges the team failed to follow “accepted journalistic standards,” opting instead to lean into a one-sided portrayal that damaged his name and career.
The lawsuit names Warner Bros. Discovery, Dick, Ziering, their production company Jane Doe Films, and Impact Partners producer Dan Cogan. Simmons wants the film removed from all WBD platforms and is seeking $20 million in damages for defamation, invasion of privacy, and false advertising.
On the Record focuses on women who came forward with sexual assault allegations against Simmons, including former Def Jam exec Drew Dixon, activist Sil Lai Abrams, and screenwriter Jenny Lumet. The film documents their difficult decision to go public and was initially set to debut via Apple TV+.
However, Oprah Winfrey, who had signed on as executive producer, publicly distanced herself from the project shortly before its Sundance premiere, citing creative differences. The film was then picked up by HBO Max and became its first-ever festival acquisition.
In the suit, Simmons claims that more than 20 witnesses, nine polygraph tests, and various other materials that could’ve potentially cleared his name were ignored by the filmmakers and by WBD leadership, including then-WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey and current HBO and Max Content chairman Casey Bloys.
He also points to several major media outlets—CNN, MSNBC, and the New York Post among them—that allegedly declined to cover the documentary because of what he describes as questionable content and storytelling.
Dixon, one of the women featured most prominently in On the Record, also sued Simmons last year, claiming defamation as he allegedly tried to undermine her public statements about her alleged 1995 assault. That suit came just before another woman filed anonymously as “Jane Doe,” accusing Simmons of sexual assault and battery.
Despite the controversy, On the Record was a critical hit. It premiered to multiple standing ovations at Sundance and currently holds a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Simmons’ legal team is led by Imran Ansari of Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins, the same firm that represents Harvey Weinstein in his New York sexual assault trial.
Warner Bros. Discovery quickly responded to Simmons’ lawsuit:
“We dispute Mr. Simmons’ allegations, stand by the filmmakers and their process, and will vigorously defend ourselves against these unfounded allegations,” a WBD spokesperson told Deadline.
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