Vin Diesel Sexual Battery Allegations; Lawsuit Filed by Former Assistant

Content Warning: Descriptions of Sexual Assault and Discrimination

Vin Diesel’s former assistant has filed a lawsuit against the Fast & Furious actor, claiming that he had allegedly sexually molested her in 2010 during the filming of Fast Five. Vanity Fair first reported the suit.

The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles alleged that a violent encounter occurred between Asta Jonasson and Vin Diesel at the St. Regis hotel in September 2010. Jonasson was hired by One Race, Diesel’s company, to accompany Diesel to parties and ensure no photographs were taken of him. One night, Jonasson was asked to wait in Diesel’s suite at the hotel while he entertained other guests. After they were gone, Diesel allegedly forced himself onto Jonasson, pulling her into bed while he tried to have his way with her. Though Jonasson protested against his advancements, Diesel then allegedly “dropped to his knees, pushed Ms. Jonasson’s dress up toward her waist, and molested her body, running his hands over Ms. Jonasson’s upper legs, including her inner thighs” (via Vanity Fair). According to the lawsuit, Jonasson, though afraid, was able to push him away and run to the nearest bathroom. 

Jonasson’s suit continued to graphically detail how the attack then escalated as Diesel allegedly began to touch himself as he held her against the wall. Unable to escape, Jonasson allegedly tried to dissociate to “avoid angering him.” Per the complaint, Diesel’s sister, Samantha Vincent, president of One Race, terminated Jonasson’s employment. Vincent allegedly told Jonasson that the company didn’t need her anymore. According to the complaint, another One Race supervisor had also allegedly suggested Jonasson do a sexual act. Unable to remain silent any longer, Jonasson brought claims for gender-based violence and sexual battery. She seeks damages against Diesel, Vincent, and One Race for “humiliation, emotional distress, and mental and physical pain.”