Vin Diesel sued for s*xual battery (image via Instagram/@vindiesel)
A former assistant to American actor Vin Diesel, real name Mark Sinclair, sued him for s*xual battery on Thursday, December 21, 2023. The lawsuit stems from an alleged incident that took place in a hotel suite in Atlanta back in 2010 on the sets of Fast Five.
Ad
Trigger Warning: This article contains references to a s*xual assault. Reader discretion is advised
According to the suit, the actor's company, One Race, hired Asta Jonasson to work for him while he was filming in Atlanta. In September 2010, she was asked to wait in Diesel's St. Regis Hotel suite.
When his guests left, she claims that he grabbed her wrists and forced her onto the bed after. As she attempted to stop him and leave, the Fast and Furious actor molested her.
Ad
Variety's post about the news (Image via X/ @Variety)
As per the lawsuit, things took an ugly turn at this point, as Vin Diesel pressed her against the wall, placing her hand on his genitals and m*sturbating. It states:
Ad
"Terrified, Ms. Jonasson closed her eyes, trying to dissociate from the s*xual assault and avoid angering him."
The suit alleges mere hours after the incident, Samantha Diesel, the Marvel actor's sister and president of One Race, called Jonasson to terminate her employment as "she was no longer useful."
As news of the lawsuit spread, internet users were left aghast, with one stating:
A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @halfazguy)
"I AM GROPE": Netizens express distrust over Vin Diesel, harshly criticize the actor
As news of the lawsuit against Vin Diesel spread, Twitterati was quick to speak up against theFast and Furiousactor. Many criticized him, remarking that he "seemed like the type." However, there were a few comments that questioned the timing of Asta's case, wondering if it was only for money.
Ad
Here are some comments seen under @Variety's post on X:
A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @Food_for_th0t)A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @jessicasunja)A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @Themysterymani1)A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @wonitfrombrock)A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @LisaPed16559397)A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @ZoopityBoppity)A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @zachzanyreviews)A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @CHilla415)A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @edgaralandough)A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @henrydavidmoses)A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @amuelstrak93)A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @Heliosx01)A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @LickFIRE_)A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @69inetails)
Vin Diesel, for his part, has denied all allegations. His lawyer, Bryan Freedman, released a statement, around noon:
Ad
"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."
Ad
In addition to s*xual battery, the lawsuit has accused Vin Diesel and his production of discrimination based on gender, a hostile work environment, emotional distress, and wrongful termination among others.
It claims Asta had signed a nondisclosure agreement and she maintained her silence over the years. However, due to California's Speak Out Act, she can fight for justice.
×
Feedback
Why did you not like this content?
Was this article helpful?
Thank You for feedback
About the author
Nirali Sheth
Nirali has been a popular culture writer at Sportskeeda for the past 1.5 years, covering celebrity/influencer trends and profile/histories, political news, crime reports, and lifestyle. She completed her Bachelor's in Architecture from University of Mumbai and Masters in Heritage Conservation from University of Southern California. Professionally, Nirali has a strong 7.5-year experience working as an architect, an Assistant Archivist and a Digital Archivist across three companies.
Nirali’s educational qualifications and unique career trajectory put great emphasis on research and writing, which along with her personal interest in popular culture, led her to the current role at Sportskeeda. Her specialties are researching histories, crime stories, and developing general knowledge pieces.
The most crucial step in Nirali’s reporting is rigorous fact-checking, and she relies on information from primary sources only for her news. In the absence of a primary source, Nirali double, and even triple-checks information from multiple sources before presenting them to her readers. Strictly anti-AI, she believes in giving credits wherever necessary.
Nirali’s favorite celebrities are Mark Ruffalo and Dolly Parton, and she admires them for their support of humanity and advocacy for what is right. An avid reader, Nirali can be found nose-deep in a new book when she is away from her keyboard. Nirali also loves to illustrate in her free time.
'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
