Granddaughter Of Book Publisher W.W. Norton, Alexia Norton Jones, Accuses Russell Simmons Of Rape

Alexia Norton Jones, grandaughter of W.W. Norton, is coming forward about a rape incident that took place in the ’90s with Russell Simmons.

The two went on a date in November of 1990. She recalls having a good time out, which led to Simmons inviting her to see his new Manhattan apartment. Once they got inside he pinned her against the wall and began to rape her. “It was such a fast attack. He pulled my dress up. I must have said no seven to 10 times,” she tells Variety.

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She claims that Simmons continued to pursue her after that night, he would call her house and try to talk to her at social events. She also recalls it being difficult to avoid him since they were a part of the same social circle. Simmons was also a friend of her father, Clarence Jones. Over time, Jones ultimately forgave Simmons.

However, last spring Jones filed a police report with the NYPD which detailed the incident that happened almost 30 years ago. Ultimately, the case did not go through because it fell outside the statue of limitations in New York for felonies. However, she still wanted to come forward and stand with other alleged victims of Simmons. Jones is not seeking any kind of monetary damages.

Simmons has denied all allegations and has stepped away from Def Jam Records last November, after the allegations began to arise. After Jones came forward, Simmons released a statement stating that he did not assault her.

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Jones said: “I’m deeply saddened by this story from Alexia. At no time did she share these feelings about her first sexual encounter with me, which took place roughly 28 years ago. I have taken multiple lie detector tests that affirm I never sexually assaulted anyone. 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.”