Granddaughter of the late publisher W.W. Norton Alexia Norton Jones came forward and opened up about being allegedly sexually assaulted by Russell Simmons back in 1990.
Jones told Variety about the two going on a date when Simmons invited her back to his apartment in downtown Manhattan. Jones said that within minutes of arriving, the business mogul pushed her against the wall and forced himself on her.
The former model said, “I didn’t want to go further. It was such a fast attack. It was literally an attack.” She continued, “Because he was overweight, I remember thinking it was like being attacked by a flabby walrus. I remember being pushed up against a wall.”
Jones said she, “must have said ‘no’ seven to 10 times,” but then “acquiesced.” “It was very fast,” she added. Simmons issued a statement to Variety in response to the accusations, “At no time did she share these feelings about her first sexual encounter with me, which took place roughly 28 years ago.” He continued, “Alexia and I dated, were intimate and attended multiple events together after she alleges the incident occurred in 1990. I considered her a friend for all these years and continue to have a warm relationship with members of her family. I believe we last spoke in 2006 when she called to express her disappointment over the fact that I had not attended an event honoring her father.”
Simmons also presented a written statement from his driver from 1989, Kenneth L. Jennings. Jennings said in the statement, “I recall driving Mr. Simmons and Alexia Jones on about 10 to 12 dates in or about 1990. Their relationship lasted approximately five months.”
According to Variety, Jones denied having a relationship with Simmons. Jones claimed she confided in her therapist at the time, which Variety confirmed took place.
