Russell Simmons Says He Took 9 Lie Detector Tests amid Sexual Assault Allegations

The Def Jam co-founder spoke about the allegations of sexual misconduct against him on 'In Depth with Graham Bensinger'

Russell Simmons said he has taken a total of nine lie detector tests since being accused of sexual assault by 18 women.

The music industry executive, 66, appeared on the latest episode of In Depth with Graham Bensinger and admitted to being “crude” and in “compromising situations” in the past, but continues to deny any violent allegations against him. In the interview released on Wednesday, he explained that he’s taken a number of polygraph tests since over a dozen women have come forward with sexual misconduct allegations, including rape, against him.

“I took nine lie detector tests, people don't know that,” said Simmons, who was first accused of sexual assault in 2017. “Nine separate — seven from the Chairman of the Polygraph Association. One for each and serious accusation.”

Related: 18 Women Accuse Music Producer Russell Simmons of Sexual Misconduct — Everything They've Said

The entrepreneur described to Bensinger, 37, that he took one test per “violent” allegation or per claim that he felt could be compounded because several accusers said the same. He explained, “When someone said, for instance, ‘I was violent’ — one person said that — and I've never been violent. Took that. And one said I apologized. I never apologized about assaulting anyone. But if two people say it, because one said it, and #metoo, and the second person said it, then I took a test for it.”

He added, “Three hours per test by two polygraph examiners — one that I’ve never done this to anyone and one, I've never done to each individual.”

“Some people say that they're not accurate, but it's 94% accurate,” Simmons continued. “I did nine of them, it's pretty clear that I don't believe it. I even asked if, ‘Well, what if I believe it, but it's not true?’ He said, ‘Your subconscious will get you.’ I don't know how true that is, but that's what was told to me by the Chairman of the Polygraph Association.”

After the Def Jam Recordings co-founder said that there’s footage available of the polygraph tests but that “no one in the mainstream would cover it,” he said it’s because “there’s a narrative” that “we don't wanna go backwards, we wanna believe women.”

“But women and celebrities maybe in some cases are a little different,” the entertainment mogul continued. “But we don't wanna not believe women, we have to believe women. We have to give them the benefit of the doubt, but we can't demonize people without proof either.”

Related: All About Russell Simmons' Family Drama, Involving Kimora Lee Simmons and Their 2 Daughters

Simmons also spoke to the In Depth host about why he thinks that it’s important to note “very gray” areas and that his recollection of an event can be different from someone else’s.

“I can simply tell you that I was in so many compromising situations, that people can have a recollection from 30 or 40 years ago, and it can be different from my recollection. And it could be one where there is perhaps a collaboration,” he said.

He also posited several questions as examples: “If you had more foursomes than most guys at once, could someone leave and feel hurt? Could someone leave and feel they wished they hadn't? Could some reimagine a story out of thousands of people? Could someone want notoriety in the market where people thirst for fame, even infamous. Could someone who just came out of jail, and want to sue you because they had an experience and they can reimagine it just a little bit different? And could you be vulnerable enough to accept it?”

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Related: Kimora Lee Simmons Is Staying Strong Following Public Feud with Ex Russell Simmons: 'I'm a Tough Chick'

Eighteen women have come forward with allegations against Simmons — ranging from inappropriate behavior in the work place to an attempted assault in a women’s restroom after a night of partying to rape at his apartment — since 2017.

Shortly after accusations of harassment and violent behavior were made public, the hip-hop mogul stepped down from all duties of his Def Jam empire.

In 2020, the documentary On the Record was released on Max chronicling the stories of the several of the women who came forward to speak out against the hip-hop mogul.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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