Two women are filing criminal complaints to the NYPD against Russell Simmons.
A statement to Billboard by detective Sophia Mason of the NYPD reads: “The NYPD has received information regarding allegations involving Russell Simmons in the NYC area and our detectives are in the process of reviewing that information.”
According to TMZ, two women allege that Simmons raped them in 1983 and 1991, respectively. While one of the women opted to remain anonymous, the other, Sherri Hines, originally came forward with her claims through a story ran by the Los Angeles Times last November. In addition to her appearance in the LA Times, Hines also visited Megyn Kelly Today to speak out against Simmons. Hines alleges that Simmons raped her in 1983 after she stopped by his office. At the time, Hines was 17 years old and was in an all-female hip-hop group.
Last November, Simmons stepped down from his companies amid the sexual allegations made against him. The following month, Simmons went on Instagram and launched his own hashtag titled #NotMe speaking out against the accusations.
“Today, I begin to properly defend myself,” he began. “I will prove without any doubt that I am innocent of all rape charges. Today, I will focus on ‘The Original Sin’ (Keri Claussen), the claim that created this insane pile on of my #MeToo. Stay tuned! We’ll share information today… And tomorrow the case of Jenny Lumet. My intention is not to diminish the #MeToo movement in anyway, but instead hold my accusers accountable. #NotMe Again, this is not a movement against or even in conjunction with #Metoo . It’s just a statement about my innocence.”
UPDATE: Representatives for Russell Simmons sent the following statement to Billboard:
“I vehemently deny all these allegations. These horrific accusations have shocked me to my core. I am blessed to have shared extraordinary relationships, whether through work or love, with many great women; and I have enormous respect for the women’s movement worldwide and their struggle for respect, dignity, equality and power. I am devastated by any reason I may have given to anyone to say or think of me in the ways that are currently being described. The presumption of innocent until proven guilty must not be replaced by “Guilty by Accusation.”
I have already apologized for the instances of thoughtlessness in my relationships with women. I have separated myself from my businesses and charities in order to not become a distraction. I have re-dedicated myself to spiritual learning, healing and working on behalf of the communities to which I have devoted my life. I have conducted my life with a message of peace and love. Although I have been candid about how I have lived in books and interviews detailing my flaws, I will not accept responsibility for what I have not done.”