Actor Vin Diesel has been accused of sexual assault by a former assistant, who in a lawsuit alleged that the action star sexually battered her in 2010 during the shoot of the movie ‘Fast Five’. In a lawsuit filed in a Los Angeles court, Asta Jonasson also claimed that she was fired just hours after the assault.
The assault occurred in an Atlanta hotel room while the two were filming “Fast Five.”
The suit is the most recent claim filed in California courts, which has increased the amount of time in which legal action can be taken in cases of alleged sexual crimes.
“Sexual harassment in the workplace will never stop if powerful men are protected from accountability. We hope her courageous decision to come forward helps create lasting change and empowers other survivors.” Jonasson’s lawyer Claire-Lise Kutlay said in a written statement.
Asta Jonasson said her first assignment after being hired by the “Fast and Furious” star’s company was to travel to Atlanta in September 2010 during the filming of “Fast Five.”
Vin Diesel faces sexual assault allegations in ‘Fast Five’ lawsuit
Jonasson claimed in her lawsuit that Vin Diesel forcibly groped her breasts and kissed her after a night of entertaining multiple women in his hotel suite.
“Vin Diesel ignored Ms. Jonasson’s clear statements of non-consent to his sexual assaults,” according to the complaint.
When she fled to a bathroom, Diesel chased her down and allegedly forced Jonasson to “grab his erect penis.” Despite her protests, he allegedly pinned her against a wall and masturbated, only to release her after he was finished. He then exited the room.
Samantha Vincent, the actor’s sister and president of One Race, the entertainment company that employed Jonasson, allegedly called and fired her a few hours later.
“The message was clear. Ms Jonasson was fired for courageously resisting Vin Diesel’s sexual assault, Vin Diesel would be protected, and his sexual assault covered up,” the suit said.
Jonasson is one of many women who have accused prominent members of the entertainment industry figures of sexual misconduct since the #MeToo movement began in 2017, in the aftermath of accusations against now-imprisoned movie producer Harvey Weinstein.