Vin Diesel 'Categorically Denies' Former Assistant's 'Outlandish' Sexual Battery Allegation, Says Lawyer

Mar. 15, 2025

Vin Diesel in 2020.Photo:Phillip Faraone/FilmMagic

Phillip Faraone/FilmMagic

Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for Diesel, now 56, said in a statement to PEOPLE, “Let me be very clear: Vin Diesel categorically denies this claim in its entirety.”

The lawsuit — a complaint for damages against Diesel, his sisterSamantha Vincentand their production company One Race Films — claims sexual battery, discrimination on the basis of sex/gender, intentional infliction of emotional distress, hostile work environment, wrongful termination and retaliation.

The suit alleges that hours after the incident in Diesel’s hotel suite, throughout which the plaintiff “continually pleaded with him to stop,” Vincent terminated Jonasson’s employment with the production company. It also details another inappropriate incident in Atlanta allegedly involving a One Race supervisor summoning Jonasson to his hotel room and inviting her into bed.

Vin Diesel.Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

Reps for Diesel and One Race Films did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment Thursday.

Jonasson, who signed a nondisclosure agreement at the time, was able to file the claims due to theSpeak Out Act, which prevents the enforcement of nondisclosure agreements in sexual assault and harassment cases. California’sAB2777also temporarily waives statutes of limitations for sexual abuse allegations that occurred in 2009 or later.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.

source: people.com