Russell Simmons 'vehemently' denies rape allegations

Washington D.C. [USA], Mar 24 (ANI): Hip-hop artist Russell Simmons, who has been accused of rape in a new $10 million lawsuit, has 'vehemently' denied the allegations.

According to the lawsuit, filed Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, a woman identified as Jane Doe accused the Def Jam Recordings co-founder of luring her to his hotel room and raping her.

The 60-year-old, who is 'shocked' by the accusations, told E! Online, "I vehemently deny all the allegations made against me."

"They have shocked me to my core as I have never been abusive or violent in any way in my relations with women. I have submitted myself to multiple lie detector tests. I denied forced sex and sexual harassment allegations brought against me in each test; I also answered no to the question, 'Have you ever physically forced any woman to have sexual intercourse?' I passed all of the lie detector tests."

In her complaint, the plaintiff alleges Simmons raped her in a hotel room after she met him at a concert - which she was attending with her son - where he had lured her with an invitation to an after party. He then allegedly forced her onto a hotel bed and raped her.

In recent months, at least 14 women have accused the Simmons of sexual misconduct, which he has denied. (ANI)