In a recent legal development, Hollywood actor Vin Diesel is facing a lawsuit filed by a former assistant, Asta Jonasson, accusing him of sexual assault in 2010. The documents, filed in a Los Angeles court on Thursday, reveal disturbing details of the alleged incidents during the filming of the fifth installment of the renowned “Fast and Furious” franchise.
According to the lawsuit obtained by AFP, Jonasson, hired by Diesel’s production company, One Race, in 2010, claims that the actor forcibly touched, kissed, and masturbated in front of her in an Atlanta hotel. Her responsibilities reportedly included maintaining close physical proximity to Diesel during events and providing an alibi in case he was photographed with another woman.
The legal documents describe an incident where Jonasson was asked to remove Diesel from a hotel suite, where he was entertaining multiple women. Once alone with Jonasson, Diesel allegedly sexually assaulted her, despite her physical and verbal refusals, disregarding her objections.
The lawsuit emphasizes Diesel’s physical strength and his position of power as contributing factors to the alleged assault. Jonasson contends that, following the incident, Samantha Vincent, Diesel’s sister and president of One Race, terminated her employment instead of taking actions to protect her.
Jonasson, now coming forward amidst the #MeToo movement, accuses Diesel, his sister, and the production company of causing emotional distress and violating her labor rights. Seeking unspecified financial compensation, Jonasson’s lawsuit sheds light on the broader issue of abuse within the entertainment industry, echoing the repercussions faced by powerful figures like Harvey Weinstein.