Actor Vin Diesel, known for his role in the Fast and Furious franchise, faces accusations of sexual battery by his former assistant, Asta Jonasson

The allegations were detailed in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles. Jonasson claims that Diesel forcibly kissed and groped her when she was his assistant in 2010 while he filmed Fast Five in Atlanta.

The lawsuit states that Diesel’s inappropriate behavior extended past this, and he masturbated in front of Jonasson while she worked.

The filing describes an incident where Diesel “pinned her against the wall with his body, grabbed Ms. Jonasson’s hand, and placed it on his [body].” Jonasson immediately withdrew her hand, disgusted, and refused him verbally.

Jonasson was employed by Diesel’s production company, One Race, also named in the lawsuit, along with Samantha Vincent, Diesel’s sister and an employee of One Race. Jonasson claims that she was fired from her position after only two weeks. The lawsuit alleges that Jonasson believes she was terminated when she resisted Diesel’s sexual assault.

The ability to file the lawsuit was made possible by the Speak Out Act, which nullifies the enforcement of non-disclosure agreements, and California Assembly Bill 2777, which removes the statute of limitations for sexual abuse allegations dating back to 2009 or later.

A lawyer from the firm that represents Jonasson in the case, said in a statement, “We are proud to represent Ms. Jonasson and hold accountable Vin Diesel and those who allowed and covered up his sexual assault. The law exists to protect those who have been wronged, no matter how powerful or famous the defendant is. Sexual harassment in the workplace will never stop if powerful men are protected from accountability.”

Representatives of Diesel have not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.

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Article by Baila Eve Zisman

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