Russell Simmons says he’s “closed for spiritual maintenance” after sex assault allegations
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Russell Simmons posted a message on Instagram saying that he is in Bali trying to better himself.
After facing months of sexual misconduct allegations, Simmons posted an image on Wednesday saying that he was “Temporarily closed for spiritual maintenance.”
“I’m in Bali writing, meditating at holy sites and practicing asanas. Letting everyone speak, while I listen,” Simmons wrote on the Instagram post. “Focusing and praying to realize one goal, BEING A MORE USEFUL SERVANT OF GOD.”
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“I want to fully devote myself to my daughters, the underserved communities I’ve always worked with and the growth of a new conscious community,” he continued. “We need a revolution of consciousness. Now is the time for new beginnings. One awakened being at time.”
Accusers file police reports
Russell Simmons trip to Bali has curious timing.
In January, two accusers filed police reports with the NYPD claiming that Russell Simmons raped them.
One of the women, Sherri Hines, told the Los Angeles Times last year that Simmons had raped her in his New York office when she was part of the Mercedes Ladies hip-hop group.
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Hines later recalled on Megyn Kelly’s daytime talk show how she was only 17 or 18 when Simmons invited her into his office. She said that she went because she thought he wanted to talk about a record deal.
Instead, she said, she was “pinned down” on his couch and raped.
The second woman, excusing Russell Simmons of assault, has chosen to remain anonymous. According to TMZ, who first reported on the police reports, the alleged rape took place in 1991 after the woman and the music mogul had gone out on a date.
TMZ also reported that, of the 14 women accusing Russell Simmons of rape, seven of them are working with the NYPD. There is no statute of limitations in New York for rape.
Simmons denies the allegations
Russell Simmons has stepped down from his company and has continued to maintain his innocence.
He even used the hashtag #NotMe in a social media post claiming he was using it to clear his name. The post received massive backlash for appearing to co-opt the #MeToo movement.
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“My intention is not to diminish the #MeToo movement in anyway, but instead hold my accusers accountable,” Russell Simmons explained.
As for support, Kimora Lee Simmons is standing by her ex-husband, Russell Simmons, in the face of multiple accusations of rape and sexual assault.
A TMZ photographer caught up with Kimora last month to ask her about the allegations.
Kimora, holding her youngest son, Wolfe Lee, told the press, “I love him. We’re friends.”
And when pressed specifically on whether she believes he’s innocent, she said, “Yeah, I do.”
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