Lawyer Says Russell Simmons Has ‘Resolved’ Settlements w/ Three Of His S3xual Assault Accusers

Russell Simmons

Lawyer Says Russell Simmons Has ‘Resolved’ Settlements w/ Three Of His S3xual Assault
Accusers

#RussellSimmons is said to have reached a resolution with a few women who accused him of s3xual misconduct and alleged he failed to pay previously agreed-upon settlements.

According to court filings from October 2024, Wendy Franco, Sil Lai Abrams, and Sherri Abernathy claimed the music mogul had not fulfilled 2023 settlement agreements totaling more than $3 million. Documents stated that Simmons agreed to pay Franco $515,000 and Abrams and Abernathy $1,265,000 each.

Both Abernathy and Abrams accused Simmons of r*pe, with Abernathy alleging the incident occurred in 1983 and Abrams in 1994. Franco has not publicly shared details of her claims, but legal paperwork described her case as relating to “physical injuries and sickness.” Additional filings from early 2025 showed Simmons also owed at least $8 million combined to three other women, Tina Klein-Baker, Toni Sallie, and Alexia Jones, though he had reportedly paid just $220,000 total.

While Simmons’ attorney declined to comment, a lawyer representing Franco, Abrams, and Abernathy told Rolling Stone, “The matter has been resolved.” However, it remains unclear what conditions were part of the resolution or how much money, if any, the women ultimately received.