Last week hip hop mogul Russell Simmons was accused of raping a 17-year-old model from Nebraska over two decades ago at his apartment in New York [click here if you missed that].
In an open letter Russell maintains his innocence while the alleged victim claims Russell has apologized to her in the past...
This week Keri Claussen Khalighi told Megyn Kelly Today,
"Russell and I have actually had a face-to-face confrontation around this, we’ve had phone conversations, where we have had a conversation about what happened, where there was no dispute of what we were talking about."
"We were both talking about what happened on that night and he actually apologized. And part of what is so confusing and retraumatizing is what he is speaking about privately with me, is completely different than what has come out publicly. "Meanwhile in an open letter published by The Hollywood Reporter Russell insists,
...It may sound odd to some that I am encouraged about this time in our history, but I am. The daily news detailing the growing number of experiences of women being victimized are being brought to the light. I do not doubt that the vast majority of the allegations these brave survivors are sharing are true and dignified. I see their stories giving a voice to the voiceless, which has been the central theme of my life’s journey.
I also know from recent painful personal experience that some recollections can be cast in a light away from the actual facts.
In my case, three witnesses [Anthony McNair and two anonymous witnesses] have signed statements that our experiences that weekend with Keri Claussen Khalighi 26 years ago were consensual. My longtime loathing of any form of violence and abuse has been woven into all of my personal interactions, as most who know me will attest.
In our meeting many years later, and subsequent conversations, Keri never accused me of what she has said publicly. She insisted I was not violent. She did tell me her boyfriend and many others found out about our long weekend together and she said she was ashamed by that discovery. I am sorry for the embarrassment she recounted to me.Read Russell's full statement here.
