Russell Simmons Probed By Police for Alleged Sexual Battery in 2001, Simmons Releases Statement

Russell Simmons

Russell Simmons Probed By Police for Alleged Sexual Battery

According to a report, back in 20011, the Beverly Hills police department investigated Russell Simmons, along with producer Brett Ratner for alleged sexual battery. However, prosecutors declined to press charges in the case, citing insufficient evidence and the alleged victim has not been identified.

According to police records, a 29-year-old woman came into the department to file a report at 4:45 a.m. on the morning of Nov. 3, 2001. She alleged that two men held her against her will and that both touched her unlawfully, according to police.

She alleged that the incident occurred between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. that morning at a home in the 1200 block of Benedict Canyon Drive. Ratner’s home is on the same block.

Simmons has responded, saying,

This is an important and critical time for the empowerment of women and men who have been harassed. I have been a public figure for all of my adult life. And when you are in that arena over decades, you can find yourself in a position where you are vulnerable and susceptible to claims that are untrue.

Last week, Warner Bros. forced Ratner to vacate his office on the studio’s Burbank lot after the L.A. Times reported that six women had accused him of sexual misconduct.

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