A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has dismissed several claims in a high-profile lawsuit filed against actor Vin Diesel by a former assistant who accused him of sexual assault and wrongful termination.
In a tentative ruling issued on June 3, Judge Daniel M. Crowley dismissed four claims brought by Asta Jonasson, who filed the lawsuit in December 2023. The dismissed claims include allegations of a hostile work environment, discrimination, retaliation, and failure to prevent harassment.
Crowley determined that these specific claims, filed under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act, were invalid due to procedural errors. The court found that Jonasson had failed to file a complaint with the state’s Civil Rights Division within the required one-year timeframe—an “incurable procedural defect,” according to the judge’s ruling.
Despite the partial dismissal, six other claims remain active in the case, including accusations of sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The ruling represents a legal setback for Jonasson but does not conclude the broader case.
Alleged Incident Dates Back to 2010
Jonasson alleges the assault occurred in September 2010 during production of Fast Five, part of the Fast & Furious film franchise. According to the lawsuit, she was employed by Diesel’s production company, One Race, and was tasked with accompanying him to events and maintaining appearances in the absence of his longtime partner.
The lawsuit details an alleged incident at the St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta, where Jonasson claims Diesel sexually assaulted her after entertaining club hostesses. She alleges that Diesel grabbed her wrists, pulled her onto a bed, and attempted to remove her underwear. When she resisted and fled, he allegedly followed her, pinned her against a wall, placed her hand on his genitals, and masturbated.
Shortly after the alleged incident, Jonasson says she was fired by Diesel’s sister, Samantha Vincent, who is also president of One Race. She had been employed for less than two weeks.
Legal Standing Under Recent Legislation
Although Jonasson signed a nondisclosure agreement at the time of her employment, her legal team filed suit under the federal Speak Out Act and California’s AB2777. These laws carve out exceptions to NDAs and statutes of limitations in cases involving sexual assault.
The Speak Out Act prevents NDAs from being used to silence survivors of sexual misconduct, while AB2777 temporarily lifts the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims dating back to 2009.
Ongoing Case
Lawyers for both Diesel and Jonasson have not yet publicly commented on the latest ruling. The case continues to move forward with several key allegations still unresolved.
Diesel, best known for his role as Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious series, has not been criminally charged in connection with the incident.
