Russell Simmons has responded to a lawsuit filed by a woman who accused him of raping her, saying among other things that the accuser suffers from “untreated mental health issues” and has “a propensity to exaggerate.”
In legal papers filed Wednesday, hip-hop mogul Simmons denied accusations by Jennifer Jarosik that he raped her in 2016, saying instead that he “has only ever tried to help” Jarosik, and that any sex was consensual.
“In various court proceedings over the past six years, Ms. Jarosik has been found by a court: (1) to have a ‘propensity to exaggerate’; (2) to suffer from ‘untreated mental health issues,’ and (3) to be ‘unfit to properly parent’ her young son,” Simmons’ answer to Jarosik’s complaint reads. “Those very same qualities are evident in Ms. Jarosik’s Complaint, which is filled with lies against Mr. Simmons, who has only ever tried to help her. Mr. Simmons has never had non-consensual sex with Ms. Jarosik or anyone else.”
Jarosik, an apsiring documentary producer, filed suit against Simmons in January, alleging that Simmons raped Jarosik at his Los Angeles home in August 2016.
However, according to Simmons’ response, days before the alleged incident, Jarosik sent Simmons texts reading, “I emailed u love” and “love to c u soon.”
After the alleged incident, Simmons’ answer says, Jarosik was similarly affectionate, sending texts stating “Sending love <3,” “I miss u Russell r u ok?” and “Coming to l a. I want to see you ok.”
“Additionally, Ms. Jarosik sent Mr. Simmons unsolicited nude photos after the alleged 2016 incident,” the papers filed Wednesday read.
The papers go on to call the complaint “nothing more than a work of fiction as the alleged sexual encounter between Mr. Simmons and Ms. Jarosik was consensual.”
TheWrap has reached out to Jarosik’s attorney for comment on the new filing.
Jarosik’s suit, which alleges sexual assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress, seeks $5 million in damages.
Simmons has been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women, and has denied the accusations.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.