Five women have accused Russell Simmons of sexual misconduct, including rape since The Times report detailing model Keri Claussen Khalighi’s allegations. Simmons, 60, has denied the claims of all the women. Actress Natashia Williams-Black said Simmons attempted to force her to perform oral sex on him after taking her to a yoga class when she was only 18-years-old. Massage therapist Erin Beattie alleges that Simmons exposed himself and asked her to touch his penis while she was giving him a massage. Beattie also says that Simmons made lewd sexual comments. Two former Tantris employees said that the studio had a “sexually charged and tense atmosphere” and one of them, former general manager Karen Russell, believes Simmons was taking advantage of his position to pursue women in the studio. Sherri Hines alleged that Simmons raped her in his office around 1983. Lisa Kirk alleges that he attempted to assault her in a nightclub in New York around 1988.
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