Media mogul Russell Simmons is hitting back at his sexual assault accusers with a twisted take on the #MeToo movement.
The Def Jam co-founder, 60, stepped down from his companies two weeks ago in light of allegations from ex-model Keri Claussen and screenwriter Jenny Lumet.
The TV producer, who previously denied the pair's claims, took aim at Claussen and Lumet Thursday with an Instagram post in which he declared his innocence with "#NotMe," a play on the #MeToo movement, which has seen thousands of women come forward with stories of sexual abuse.
"Today, I begin to properly defend myself. I will prove without any doubt that I am innocent of all rape charges. Today, I will focus on 'The Original Sin' (Keri Claussen), the claim that created this insane pile on of my #MeToo... And tomorrow the case of Jenny Lumet," he wrote.
Simmons argued that he was not belittling the power of the #MeToo movement, but instead felt it necessary to prove his accusers wrong.
"My intention is not to diminish the #MeToo movement in anyway (sic), but instead hold my accusers accountable. #NotMe Again, this is not a movement against or even in conjunction with #Metoo. It's just a statement about my innocence," he wrote.
Lumet told The Hollywood Reporter Simmons sexually violated her without her consent at his home in 1991, while Claussen said he sexually assaulted her and forced her to perform oral sex as director Brett Ratner looked on that same year.
Simmons did not acknowledge the nine additional women who came forward with accusations against him on Wednesday.
The women, four of whom claimed Simmons raped them, told the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times about his alleged misconduct, which ranged from the early '80s to 2016.
In statements to the outlets, Simmons denied all nine allegations.
