Vin Diesel faces lawsuit as former assistant accuses him of sexual battery

Lawsuit Accuses Vin Diesel of Sexual Battery: Former Assistant Alleges Misconduct at St. Regis Hotel in 2010. Filed in Los Angeles by plaintiff Asta Jonasson, the complaint details allegations that the Fast & Furious actor-producer forcibly pulled Jonasson onto a bed, groped her breasts and legs, and engaged in inappropriate behavior at Atlanta’s St. Regis hotel. Vanity Fair was the first to report on the lawsuit.

Alleged Incident on Fast Five Set

As per the court document, Jonasson was employed by Vin Diesel's production company, One Race Films, to assist the star during the filming of 2011's Fast Five in Atlanta. The document mentions that just hours after the purported incident, Samantha Vincent, Diesel's sister and the president of One Race, terminated Jonasson's employment.

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"The lawsuit contends that Ms. Jonasson perceived her termination as a direct result of becoming obsolete—Vin Diesel allegedly exploited her to satisfy his sexual desires, and her resistance to his advances led to her dismissal. Ms. Jonasson expressed feeling devalued, equating her experience to being treated as disposable refuse."

Behind Closed Doors

The incident unfolded one September night in 2010 when Jonasson found herself alone with the Guardians of the Galaxy star. According to the complaint, he "seized Ms. Jonasson’s wrists, one in each of his hands, and drew her onto the bed" in his hotel suite.

The lawsuit goes on to claim that she subsequently headed to the suite's front door, where the actor lifted her dress towards her waist and engaged in inappropriate touching, running his hands over her upper legs, including her inner thighs. Following this, the assistant sought refuge in the bathroom, where Diesel purportedly cornered her against the wall and engaged in inappropriate behavior, despite her verbal objections, according to the document.

In addition to the sexual battery allegation, Jonasson's lawsuit brings forward claims of discrimination based on sex/gender, intentional infliction of emotional distress, a hostile work environment, wrongful termination, and retaliation. The legal action also implicates One Race, the production company co-founded by Diesel and his sister in 1995.

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