New Delhi: Actor Vin Diesel's former assistant, Asta Jonasson, filed a complaint against him on Thursday, alleging that he had sexually assaulted her in 2010 and that she had been sacked from her position a few hours later.
She alleges that in 2010, the ‘Fast and Furious’ star forced her up against a wall in a hotel suite and engaged in masturbation in front of her.
Actor Jonasson was hired by his production business, One Race, for a variety of roles, according to the lawsuit. Among these included arranging Diesel's attendance in photos if the actor made solo appearances at events without his usual partner, as well as scheduling and accompanying Diesel at social events.
Ms. Jonasson's attorney, Greenberg Gross, issued a statement. The firm's spokesman stated that they were proud to support their client and hold Vin Diesel and anyone who tolerated and covered up his acts responsible for sexual assault.
In September 2010, Jonasson was asked, according to the lawsuit, to stay in Diesel's suite at the St. Regis hotel until he was done entertaining women from a club after a late-night. Diesel is said to have grabbed Jonasson by the wrists and pulled her into the bed after the women left. Jonasson alleges that Diesel forcibly groped her breasts and kissed her.
“Ms. Jonasson was unable to escape and closed her eyes, scared of angering Vin Diesel by rejecting him further and trying to dissociate, wishing the assault would end,” the suit reveals.
Jonasson was hesitant to oppose her boss's advances because she was afraid for her physical safety as well as her job security. But when Diesel tried taking off her panties, she lost control of her fear and screamed as she ran down the corridor.
According to the lawsuit, Diesel is accused of pushing her up against the wall and touching his genitals with her hand. Ms. Jonasson tried to distance herself from the sexual assault and avoid starting a fight with him while he was masturbating out of fear.
“Ms. Jonasson felt like she was a piece of trash to be discarded. Ms. Jonasson felt helpless, her self esteem was demolished, and she questioned her own skills and whether a successful career would require her to trade her body for advancement.”
“It was clear to her that she was being fired because she was no longer useful — Vin Diesel had used her to fulfill his sexual desires and she had resisted his sexual assaults,” the suit added.
Jonasson is only one of several women who have accused celebrities in the entertainment business of sexual assault.
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