In a shocking turn of events, Vin Diesel, the renowned Fast & Furious actor-producer, is facing serious allegations of sexual battery in a lawsuit filed by his former assistant, Asta Jonasson. The complaint, filed in Los Angeles, accuses Diesel of forcibly engaging in sexual misconduct in 2010 at Atlanta’s St. Regis hotel during the filming of "Fast Five."
The lawsuit, obtained by PEOPLE and initially reported by Vanity Fair, alleges that Diesel, whose legal name is Mark Sinclair Vincent, pulled Jonasson onto a bed, groped her breasts and legs, and masturbated against her will. Representatives for Diesel and his production company, One Race Films, have yet to respond to requests for comment.
According to the court documents, Jonasson was employed by Diesel's production company to assist the star during the filming of "Fast Five" in Atlanta. Shockingly, the lawsuit claims that mere hours after the alleged incident, Jonasson's employment was terminated by Samantha Vincent, Diesel's sister and the president of One Race Films.
The court document alleges that Jonasson's termination was a result of her resistance to Diesel's advances and that she felt discarded and devalued. The filing claims, "Ms. Jonasson felt like she was a piece of trash to be discarded."
The alleged incident occurred when Jonasson, left alone with Diesel in his hotel suite in September 2010, was forcibly pulled onto a bed. The lawsuit details disturbing actions, including Diesel groping Jonasson's body and molesting her against her will. When Jonasson attempted to escape, Diesel allegedly pursued her, pinning her to a wall in the bathroom and continuing the assault.
The lawsuit, which goes beyond sexual battery to include claims of discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, hostile work environment, wrongful termination, and retaliation, also implicates One Race Films. Another inappropriate incident in Atlanta involving a One Race supervisor is detailed in the suit.
Jonasson, who reportedly signed a nondisclosure agreement upon taking the position with One Race, was able to file the lawsuit under the Speak Out Act and California’s AB2777. These legal provisions prevent the enforcement of nondisclosure agreements in sexual assault cases and temporarily waive statutes of limitations for sexual abuse allegations occurring in 2009 or later.
The documents highlight that Jonasson drew inspiration from the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements in Hollywood as she sought justice for the suffering she allegedly endured at the hands of Vin Diesel and One Race Films. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome of this case will undoubtedly have significant implications for both Diesel's reputation and the broader conversation surrounding workplace harassment and abuse within the entertainment industry.