Vin Diesel’s ex-assistant demanded he turn over the names of any woman who accused him of sexual assault prior to 2010 — but the actor said there is nobody to name, In Touch can exclusively report.
According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Vin, 57, and Asta Jonasson, who worked for the actor in 2010, are going back and forth in court.
Asta sued Vin, his production company One Race Films and his sister Samantha Vincent, who serves as President of One Race. In her suit, she said she was hired to work as Vin’s personal assistant on Fast 5, which was shooting in the state of Georgia.
Asta accused Vin of sexual assault inside a hotel room. Vin denied the accusations.
Recently, Asta demanded Vin turn over all non-disclosures signed by the actor or his company dated before October 2010.
She said she needed the names of other people who reached settlements, for any claims, to potentially add them as witnesses in her case.
Further, she said she asked Vin to turn over the names of all employees and security guards he employed during August to October 2010.
Asta also asked Vin and his company to identify others who allege they were sexually assaulted or any complaint made against Vin for alleged sexual assault. Vin fired back at the requests. His lawyer said the request for a list of all NDAs executed by Vin was “grossly overboard.”
He said that the request was patently improper and irrelevant, “as Defendants have provided separate, verified responses stating that there were no claims of sexual assault against Defendants prior to October 2010.”
Regarding his former employees names, Vin said he should not have to turn over his ex-employees names who have no connection to the case.
His lawyer said, “These are not individuals who are even alleged to have information relevant to the claims or defenses in this action. Plaintiff’s purported basis for the disclosure of their identities is non-sequitur.”
Lastly, Vin’s lawyer noted that Asta requested information on other sexual assault complaints. He said there have, “not been any such incidents or complaints, and therefore there are no related facts, documents, or witnesses.” The case is ongoing.
In her lawsuit, Asta said that during production, one night, she was watching Vin as he entertained a bunch of women at the St. Regis hotel. She said her job was to make sure the actor was not photographed at the hotel.
After the women left the room, Asta claimed Vin forced himself on her. In court documents, she alleged he groped her and kissed her.
Asta claimed Vin pulled down her clothes and tried to take off her underwear. The suit claimed Vin put Asta against a wall and grabbed her head. She claimed he put her hands on his genitals. The suit said Vin proceeded to undress. Asta claimed Vin pleasured himself while she stood quiet. Asta said Vin’s sister fired her after the incident.
In her suit, she said she believed it was because she did not agree to Vin’s sexual requests at the hotel.
“For years, [Asta] remained silent, afraid to speak out against one of the world’s highest-grossing actors, afraid she would be ostracized from the industry which had a pattern of protecting powerful men and silencing survivors of sexual harassment and assault, and concerned that as a green card holder that speaking out could jeopardize her potential future citizenship,” the lawsuit stated.
“Empowered by the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, and with the protection of the Speak Out Act and recent revival of her claims by AB2777, [Asta] is unwilling to remain silent any longer and seeks to reclaim her agency and justice for the suffering she endured at the hands of Vin Diesel and One Race,” the suit read.
Vin denied the accusations. He asked the court to dismiss the case.
His lawyer argued, “Defendant is informed and believes, and based thereon alleges, that the Complaint, and each and every cause of action stated therein, is barred by reason of Plaintiff’s consent,” the filing read.
Vin and his company also denied that Asta was fired for anything but “legitimate non- discriminatory purposes.”
The actor’s lawyer said publicly about the suit, “Let me be very clear, Vin Diesel categorically denies this claim in its entirety. This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly 9-day employee. There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations.”
