Businessman Russell Simmons has filed a lawsuit seeking $20 million in damages against HBO and the people who made the documentary On the Record, which dealt with allegations of sexual abuse he faced. The complaint asserts that by June 4, 2025, the Manhattan Supreme Court, the film’s producers, and the station had proof critical to his freedom, although they did not use it. Simmons claims that the documentary exaggerated his side of the story by not adding interviews, documents and polygraph results that showed his innocence.
Based on Simmons, the filmmakers were able to review plenty of evidence going against the main points presented in the documentary. Mr. Bergstrom presented statements from more than 20 witnesses and said he passed nine out of eleven polygraph tests carried out. In his view, these pieces of evidence were disregarded by the HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery team on purpose.
Allegations of Suppressed Evidence
Simmons claims he and his team tried to give the filmmakers “CIA-grade” polygraph results and important documents before the movie was put out. He states that instead of being considered, such findings were deliberately and purposefully pushed aside. The lawsuit says that many famous figures, such as civil rights leaders and members of Congress, had urged the filmmakers to review this information, but their requests apparently fell on deaf ears.
The lawsuit claims that the documentary team exaggerated the story to shame Simmons, chose to disregard facts that went against what they said, and caused him much personal and professional harm. He says the exclusion of these parts misled the public and resulted in them forming negative views about him.
Oprah Winfrey’s Role and Departure from the Film
The case also includes the discussion of Oprah Winfrey starting as an executive producer, but then no longer being involved in the documentary. Simmons says that Winfrey backed out of the project after seeing inconsistencies in the cases against Michael Jackson. Still, Winfrey has mentioned that she walked away from the project after Simmons tried to change her role, and she continued to support Drew Dixon, one of the women in the documentary, who accused Simmons.
According to Simmons, Winfrey’s decision to step back and the fact that several leading media organizations would not share the allegations against him prove that people had doubts about the film’s story. He says that, despite these concerns, HBO went ahead with the documentary by ignoring his rights and twisting the facts.
Simmons’ Career and Legacy in the Spotlight
Def Jam Recordings was established in 1984 by co-founders Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, and this made them a significant figure in the music industry. Mr. Epps has achieved success in fashion, films, and making a difference socially. Still, he suffered a severe drop in reputation after many people came forward with accusations of sexual misconduct during the #MeToo movement. He has always denied the accusations, and so far, charges have not been put against him as a result of the information in the documentary.
At the time of the lawsuit, Forbes estimates that Simmons’ net worth is just $10 million, a big change from when his business empire was at its best. The drop in his image among the public, authorities say, is due to the documentary being released and the ongoing media reports.
HBO Has Not Responded Publicly
As of now, HBO has not issued a public response to the lawsuit. The network originally released On the Record to significant critical acclaim, with praise for its handling of the sensitive subject matter and its role in elevating the voices of women of color in the #MeToo movement. The film’s release reignited discussions about accountability in the entertainment industry and the complexity of high-profile allegations.
With Simmons now fighting back through the courts, the case could reopen public debate around media responsibility, evidence transparency, and how documentary storytelling intersects with legal and ethical standards.
