Vin Diesel 2023 Sexual Battery Lawsuit Dismissed — Judge Rules in Actor’s Favor
Daniel M. Crowley, a California judge, has dismissed a sexual battery and wrongful termination lawsuit against Vin Diesel filed in 2023 by an ex-personal assistant, ruling that the case cannot move forward in California courts because the alleged incidents took place in another state.
Vin Diesel Lawsuit Dismissed, Accuser Vows to Appeal
The case, which brought disturbing allegations against the “Fast & Furious” star, now hinges on an appeal, with the accuser’s legal team vowing to continue their fight for justice. Vin Diesel is among several entertainers to face sexual assault allegations. Back in April, British comedian and actor Russell Brand was charged with rape and sexual assault.
The lawsuit was filed in December 2023 by Asta Jonasson, who worked for Vin Diesel for just nine days during the 2010 filming of “Fast Five” in Atlanta, Georgia. Her complaint detailed a harrowing encounter in a hotel suite where she alleged Diesel forcibly groped her, pinned her against a wall, and masturbated in front of her.
Jonasson claimed that hours after the alleged assault by Vin Diesel, she was fired by Diesel’s sister, Samantha Vincent, who is also the president of his production company, One Race Films. Despite the gravity of the accusations, the lawsuit’s dismissal was not based on the facts of the case but on a question of jurisdiction.
For Asta Jonasson, the dismissal represents a procedural setback, not an invalidation of her claims. Her legal team quickly announced its intention to challenge the ruling. Jonasson’s attorney, Matthew Hale, told Deadline, “The Court did not decide anything about the truth of Ms. Asta Jonasson’s allegations. The ruling was based on a legal technicality, with which we respectfully disagree. Ms. Jonasson intends to appeal.” Citing the statute of limitations, Judge Crowley had already previously dismissed 4 of Jonasson’s 10 claims. In addition, he dismissed the last 6 claims in Wednesday’s ruling.
The Legal Technicality Explained
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Daniel M. Crowley ruled that because the alleged sexual assault occurred in Atlanta, Georgia, California law could not be applied. As Variety reported, Judge Crowley’s ruling stated, “It is undisputed that the alleged sexual assault took place in Atlanta, Ga.”
However, Variety added that the Judge’s ruling also stated that the claim “fails as a matter of law because California statutes are presumed not to have extraterritorial effect unless the Legislature expressly states otherwise in adopting the statue.”
This jurisdictional issue was central to the case’s survival. Jonasson’s lawsuit was made possible by California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, a law that temporarily revived certain sexual assault claims that had expired under the statute of limitations. However, Judge Crowley determined that this act was not intended to apply to incidents that happened outside of California.
From the outset, Vin Diesel has firmly denied the allegations. Following the dismissal, Freedman expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision. Along with Judge Crowley’s ruling statement, Variety also added that Freedman said, “We are grateful that the court put an end to this meritless lawsuit.” He added, “We are pleased that this matter has been resolved entirely.” The dismissal allows Vin Diesel to move forward without the immediate threat of a trial, which had been scheduled for February. However, the planned appeal ensures that the shadow of these serious allegations will linger.
Final Thoughts
This case highlights the emotional and legal complexities that survivors of sexual assault often face, particularly when navigating laws that vary from one state to another. While the court’s decision was based on a technicality, the human story at its core—a woman seeking to have her voice heard more than a decade after an alleged traumatic event—remains unresolved.
