Russell Simmons Files $20M Defamation Lawsuit Against HBO Over On the Record Documentary

Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam and one of hip hop’s most influential moguls, has filed a $20 million defamation lawsuit in New York against HBO, its parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, and the creators of the 2020 documentary On the Record. The lawsuit alleges that the film misrepresented allegations of rape and sexual misconduct leveled against Simmons, despite what he calls “overwhelming exculpatory evidence.”

Simmons Challenges Credibility of Accusations in On the Record

The documentary, directed by Oscar-nominated duo Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, gained major attention even before its debut at the Sundance Film Festival, notably after Oprah Winfrey publicly withdrew as executive producer. Now, Simmons claims that the film’s producers and distributors intentionally suppressed critical evidence, including testimony from over 20 witnesses and results from multiple polygraph tests, all of which he says support his innocence.

According to the lawsuit, HBO and its executives—including John Stankey and Casey Bloys—ignored this evidence and continued to release the film globally. Simmons’ legal team, led by Imran Ansari and Carla DiMare, is demanding not only monetary damages but also that On the Record be removed from all platforms under the defendants’ control.

Legal and Media Fallout

The film features testimonies from Drew Dixon, Sheri Sher, Sil Lai Abrams, Jenny Lumet, and Kelly Cutrone, all of whom allege misconduct by Simmons. While the film was initially slated to stream on AppleTV+ as part of Winfrey’s partnership, she exited the project citing concerns over “inconsistencies in the stories,” leading HBO to acquire it after its Sundance premiere.

In their statement, Simmons’ lawyers emphasized that despite the “credible, persuasive, and voluminous” support for Simmons, the defendants “released and continue to re-release globally a film that tremendously disparaged and damaged” his reputation.

A Deeper Legal Web

This new lawsuit comes amid a broader wave of #MeToo-related litigation. Notably, Simmons’ attorney Imran Ansari is also part of a firm representing Harvey Weinstein, whose retrial is currently underway in New York. Meanwhile, Sean “Diddy” Combs—once a protégé of Simmons—is also facing legal troubles in a separate federal case.

As this case unfolds, it brings renewed scrutiny to how media platforms handle allegations, editorial standards, and the fine line between journalism and defamation.