Court Dismisses Sexual Battery Lawsuit Against Vin Diesel by Ex-Assistant
A court has dismissed a sexual battery lawsuit against actor Vin Diesel, filed by his former assistant, Asta Jonasson. The lawsuit was originally claim-based on incidents alleged to have occurred in 2010 during the filming of “Fast Five” in Atlanta, Georgia.
Details of the Lawsuit Against Vin Diesel
Asta Jonasson accused Diesel of multiple acts of sexual assault in her 2023 lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. She claimed that during her time working for Diesel, he had forcibly pinned her against a wall and engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior, including the alleged act of masturbation.
The lawsuit claimed that Diesel brought Jonasson to his hotel suite, where the alleged assault occurred. According to the complaint, Jonasson tried to resist Diesel’s advances but was overpowered. The allegations included attempts to remove her clothing and forcing her to touch him inappropriately. Following the incident, Jonasson claimed she was terminated by Diesel’s sister after only nine days of employment.
Court’s Ruling and Legal Considerations
The presiding judge, Daniel M. Crowley, dismissed the case primarily due to jurisdictional issues. The court noted that since the alleged incidents took place in Georgia, California laws could not be applied. Four of Jonasson’s claims had already been dismissed earlier on statutory grounds. The judge remarked, “It is undisputed that the alleged sexual assault took place in Atlanta, Ga.,” underlining that California statutes do not extend beyond state lines unless expressly stated.
- Initial Claim Date: 2023
- Incident Date: 2010
- Employment Duration: 9 days
Implications of the Ruling
Although Jonasson’s entire lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, it was revealed that the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom in 2022, aimed to revive certain outdated sexual assault claims. However, the judge ruled that this act does not apply outside California.
Following the dismissal, Jonasson’s legal team announced plans to appeal the ruling. They emphasized that the court’s decision does not speak to the validity of her allegations, labeling the dismissal a legal technicality.
Statements from Legal Representatives
Vin Diesel’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, expressed relief at the court’s decision, presenting it as validation against what he described as baseless claims. “We are grateful that the court put an end to this meritless lawsuit,” Freedman stated.
The ongoing legal battle reflects broader issues surrounding sexual assault allegations and the complexities involved in jurisdiction and legal statutes related to such claims. The developments in this case will be closely monitored as Jonasson proceeds with her appeal against the court’s ruling.
