Friday, September 11, 2026

‘Fast and Furious’ star Vin Diesel faces allegations of sexual battery from ex-assistant

The actor is yet to publicly say anything about the issue.

• December 22, 2023
Vin Diesel
Vin Diesel [Credit: Pulse Nigeria]

Mark Sinclair, popularly known as Vin Diesel, faces a lawsuit in Los Angeles as his former assistant accused him of sexual battery in an incident dating back to 2010.

The ‘Fast and Furious’ star allegedly assaulted his assistant while she was working for him during the filming of Fast Five.

According to BBC the assistant Asta Jonasson, claimed in the lawsuit that Diesel forcibly overpowered her in his hotel suite despite her clear verbal objections, and forced her to watch him engage in sexual activities.

She claimed that after she screamed and ran towards the nearby bathroom, the actor pinned her to a wall as he touched himself. 

The suit claimed that “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.”

The lawsuit claims that just a few hours after the incident, the actor’s sister, Samantha Vincent, who oversees his production company One Race Films, reached out to her and terminated her employment. 

She is filing a lawsuit against both the actor’s sister and his production company for wrongful termination, asserting that the company let her go within hours of the reported assault. 

Alongside the accusation of sexual battery, her legal action includes allegations of gender discrimination, unlawful retaliation, emotional distress, and wrongful termination.

Bryan Freedman, Diesel’s attorney, stated in writing to CNN on Thursday that Vin Diesel unequivocally denies the entire claim.

“This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13 year old claim made by a purportedly 9 day employee,” he said.

The actor is yet to publicly say anything about the issue.

In a statement to BBC News, Claire-Lise Kutlay, Jonasson’s lawyer conveyed that their client aims to hold Vin Diesel, along with those who permitted and concealed his alleged sexual assault, accountable for what is described as horrifying actions.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

APC LOGO

States

2027: Adamawa APC stakeholders pledge support for Tinubu, others

Federal government appointees and APC stakeholders from Adamawa State pledged to support President Bola Tinubu and other party candidates in 2027.

Nigerian Journalists used to illustrate the story

Rights

IRISE urges journalists to reshape SRHR narratives through ethical reporting

IRISE, on Friday urged journalists to produce insightful and evidence-driven reports on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

APC women

Lagos

Lagos ‌APC women promise one million votes for Tinubu, Hamzat

The women’s wing of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos has vowed to mobilise no fewer than one million women’s votes for President Bola Tinubu and Obafemi Hamzat in 2027.

PRISON INMATES

Rights

NCoS, I’SHIELD sensitise Kano inmates to moral values, character development

NCoS and I’SHIELD has sensitised inmates to moral values and character development.

Murder scene

States

Kaduna lover allegedly kills girlfriend over another woman

The police command in Kaduna has arrested a man, Manaseh Bitrus Jatau, in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Rebecca Jeremiah, 35.

Yemi Alade performing

Showbiz

Yemi Alade releases new album ‘It’s Yemi Alade’

Nigerian Afropop singer Yemi Alade has dropped a new studio album, ‘It’s Yemi Alade’.