Case #157136/2025 · N.Y. Sup. Ct., New York County

Simmons v. Warner Brothers Discovery, Inc. et al

Filed June 03, 2025
Status
Open
Next court date
Nov 5, 2026Appearance on the motion to dismiss the first amended complaint (Mot. Seq. 3), 02:15 PM; non-party Drew Dixon's motion for leave to appear as amicus curiae (Mot. Seq. 4) returnable the same day
Last filing
Oct 30, 2026No. 91 · AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF — Proposed Amicus Curiae Brief
Judge
Justice John Katsanos
Parties
Plaintiff
Russell Simmons Individual. Described in the amended complaint as a 69-year-old entrepreneur and record executive who co-founded Def Jam Recordings.
Defendants
Warner Brothers Discovery, Inc. Sued as Warner Brothers Discovery, Inc., d/b/a HBO, HBO Max, and Max. Alleged to be a New York corporation licensed to do business in New York, with its principal place of business, on information and belief, in New York City, and to have licensed and distributed the film "On the Record."
Jane Doe Films Film production company alleged to be owned and operated by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering and located in Los Angeles, California. Alleged, with Dick and Ziering, to have licensed the film "On the Record" to HBO Max.
Kirby Dick Individual; alleged, on information and belief, to be a resident of Arizona. Sued as a filmmaker or producer who, with Amy Ziering, directed the film "On the Record."
Amy Ziering Individual; alleged to live in California. Sued as a filmmaker or producer who, with Kirby Dick, directed the film "On the Record."
Court Dates
DateTypeDescription
Feb 18, 2026 Other Motion to Dismiss Complaint (Mot. Seq. 2); submissions only, no appearance; adjourned (NYSCEF Doc. 18)
Apr 8, 2026 Other Motion to Dismiss Complaint (Mot. Seq. 2); submissions only, no appearance; fully submitted - no opposition (NYSCEF Doc. 18)
Jun 3, 2026 Other Motion to Dismiss First Amended Complaint (Mot. Seq. 3); submissions only, no appearance; adjourned
Jul 30, 2026 Status Conference Conference-Preliminary; conference, 09:30 AM; adjourned
Oct 1, 2026 Hearing Motion to Dismiss First Amended Complaint (Mot. Seq. 3); oral argument, in person, 02:15 PM; adjourned
Oct 30, 2026 Status Conference Conference-Preliminary; conference, 09:30 AM; adjourned (NYSCEF Doc. 81)
Nov 5, 2026 Hearing Appearance on the motion to dismiss the first amended complaint (Mot. Seq. 3), 02:15 PM; non-party Drew Dixon's motion for leave to appear as amicus curiae (Mot. Seq. 4) returnable the same day
Docket
Date No. Description
Jun 3, 2025 1 SUMMONS WITH NOTICE. Ansari, I. View PDF
Jul 7, 2025 2 DEMAND FOR COMPLAINT. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Aug 4, 2025 3 COMPLAINT — Verified Complaint. Ansari, I. View PDF
Sep 8, 2025 4 EXPARTE ORDER (PROPOSED) (Motion #001). Ansari, I. View PDF
Sep 8, 2025 5 STIPULATION - OTHER (Motion #001) — September 8, 2025 Stipulation. Ansari, I. View PDF
Sep 8, 2025 6 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSED OSC/EXPARTE APP (Motion #001) — Ansari Affirmation. Ansari, I. View PDF
Sep 8, 2025 7 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSED OSC/EXPARTE APP (Motion #001) — DiMare Affirmation. Ansari, I. View PDF
Sep 8, 2025 8 RJI -RE: OTHER EX PARTE APPLICATION (Motion #001) — Pro Hac Vice. Ansari, I. View PDF
Sep 10, 2025 9 ORDER - EXPARTE (Motion #001) — Order signed 09/10/2025. Court User View PDF
Jan 30, 2026 10 NOTICE OF MOTION (Motion #002) — To Dismiss Complaint.. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Jan 30, 2026 11 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT (Motion #002) — of Motion to Dismiss Complaint. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Jan 30, 2026 12 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF MOTION (Motion #002) — Affirmation of Elizabeth A. McNamara. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Jan 30, 2026 13 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #002) — Complaint.. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Jan 30, 2026 14 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #002) — Documentary Film- On the Record. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Jan 30, 2026 15 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF MOTION (Motion #002) — Affirmation of Anthony Schach. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Jan 30, 2026 16 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #002) — Licensing Agreement. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Jan 30, 2026 17 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN OPPOSITION TO MOTION (Motion #002) — Affirmation of Kirby Dick. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Feb 10, 2026 18 STIPULATION - ADJOURNMENT OF MOTION -IN SUBMISSIONS PART -RM 130 (Motion #002). Ansari, I. View PDF
Mar 18, 2026 19 COMPLAINT (AMENDED) — VERIFIED AMENDED COMPLAINT. Ansari, I. View PDF
Mar 18, 2026 20 EXHIBIT(S) — Email from Denouncing Participant to Filmmakers. Ansari, I. View PDF
Mar 18, 2026 21 EXHIBIT(S) — Email from Denouncing Participant to Amy Herdy, dated July 11, 2022. Ansari, I. View PDF
Mar 18, 2026 22 EXHIBIT(S) — Book Proposal of Accuser #1. Ansari, I. View PDF
Mar 18, 2026 23 EXHIBIT(S) — Variety Magazine Article by Ramin Setoodeh, dated March 13, 2021. Ansari, I. View PDF
Mar 18, 2026 24 EXHIBIT(S) — Washington Informer Article by Stacy M. Brown, "How to Kill a Mogul in the #MeToo Era," dated March 17, 2020. Ansari, I. View PDF
Mar 18, 2026 25 EXHIBIT(S) — Washington Informer Article by Stacy M. Brown, "Why HBO Max Refuses to Answer Questions About Russell Simmons Documentary," dated April 22, 2020. Ansari, I. View PDF
Mar 18, 2026 26 EXHIBIT(S) — Washington Informer Article by Stacy M. Brown, "Time Warner Boss May Not Be Happy with Russell Simmons Film," dated April 30, 2020. Ansari, I. View PDF
Mar 18, 2026 27 EXHIBIT(S) — Licensing Agreement. Ansari, I. View PDF
Mar 18, 2026 28 EXHIBIT(S) — Perkins-Washington Letter dated February 13, 2020. Ansari, I. View PDF
Mar 18, 2026 29 EXHIBIT(S) — Petrocelli Letter. Ansari, I. View PDF
Mar 18, 2026 30 EXHIBIT(S) — Email from Peter J. Mozarsky to Thomasina Perkins-Washington, dated May 5, 2020. Ansari, I. View PDF
Mar 18, 2026 31 EXHIBIT(S) — Email from Russell Simmons to Warner Media CEO John Stankey, dated May 26, 2020. Ansari, I. View PDF
Mar 18, 2026 32 EXHIBIT(S) — Affirmation of Anthony Schach, Vice President of Content Operations, Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc., dated January 29, 2026. Ansari, I. View PDF
Mar 18, 2026 33 EXHIBIT(S) — Letter from Rev. Marcia L. Dyson, Founder and President of Women's Global Initiative, to Warner Media CEO John Stankey, dated June 19, 2020. Ansari, I. View PDF
Apr 7, 2026 34 NOTICE OF MOTION (Motion #003) — to Dismiss First Amended Complaint. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Apr 7, 2026 35 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT (Motion #003) — of Motion to Dismiss First Amended Complaint. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Apr 7, 2026 36 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF MOTION (Motion #003) — Affirmation of Elizabeth A. McNamara. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Apr 7, 2026 37 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Amended Complaint. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Apr 7, 2026 38 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Notice of Hard Copy Exhibit. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Apr 7, 2026 39 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF MOTION (Motion #003) — Affirmation of Anthony Schach. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Apr 7, 2026 40 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Licensing Agreement. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Apr 7, 2026 41 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF MOTION (Motion #003) — Affirmation of Kirby Dick. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Apr 8, 2026 42 DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION (Motion #002). Court User View PDF
May 12, 2026 43 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN OPPOSITION (Motion #003). Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 44 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — WBD press release (May 8, 2024). Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 45 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — WBD press release (July 25, 2024). Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 46 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Summary of Disney+, Hulu, Max "bundle" details. Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 47 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Hulu press release (May 8, 2024). Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 48 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Disney+ press release (July 25, 2024). Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 49 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Hulu website screenshots - Disney+, Hulu, Max "bundle". Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 50 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — WBD press release (Nov. 19, 2024). Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 51 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — WBD press release (Mar. 30, 2025). Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 52 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — WBD press release (Apr. 15, 2025). Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 53 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — WBD press release (July 22, 2025). Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 54 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — WBD press release (Oct. 15, 2025). Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 55 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — WBD press release (Jan. 13, 2026). Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 56 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Affirmation of Alford. Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 57 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Affirmation of Ischer. Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 58 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Affirmation of Sudarmini. Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 59 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Affirmation of Taylor. Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 60 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Text message re Drew Dixon Private Deal. Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 61 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Exhibit 18 - Drew Dixon "Through" Book Proposal. Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 62 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Email from documentary participant to Amy Herdy. Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 63 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Text messages from Drew Dixon criticizing filmmakers' "lack of honesty and humility". Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 64 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Email from documentary participant to Claire Best. Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 65 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Excerpts from "Mercedes Ladies". Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 66 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Excerpts from "Black Lotus". Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 67 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Letter from Thomasina Perkins-Washington to Stephenson. Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 68 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Letter from Daniel Petrocelli. Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 69 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Email from Peter Mozarsky to Perkins-Washington. Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 70 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Reply email from Perkins-Washington to Mozarsky. Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 71 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Email from Russell Simmons to John Stankey. Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 72 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Letter from Rev. Marcia L. Dyson to Stankey. Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 73 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Stacy M. Brown, Washington Informer (Mar. 17, 2020) "How to Kill a Mogul in the #MeToo Era". Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 74 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Stacy M. Brown, Washington Informer (Apr. 22, 2020) "Why HBO Max Refuses to Answer Questions About Russell Simmons Documentary". Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 75 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Stacy M. Brown, Washington Informer (Apr. 30, 2020) "Time Warner Boss May Not Be Happy with Russell Simmons Film". Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 76 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire "Exclusive- The Oprah Winfrey Discussions with Russell Simmons About A Controversial Documentary". Ansari, I. View PDF
May 12, 2026 77 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #003) — Annotated screenshots from "On the Record" showing juxtaposition of Weinstein/Spacey with Simmons. Ansari, I. View PDF
Jun 2, 2026 78 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN REPLY (Motion #003). Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Jul 27, 2026 79 DISCOVERY CONFERENCE NOTICE -FROM COURT. Court User View PDF
Jul 28, 2026 80 STIPULATION - ADJOURNMENT OF CONFERENCE. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Jul 29, 2026 81 STIPULATION - SO ORDERED. Court User View PDF
Sep 16, 2026 82 LETTER / CORRESPONDENCE TO JUDGE — Joint Request to Adjourn Oral Argument. Mcnamara, E. View PDF
Oct 21, 2026 83 LETTER / CORRESPONDENCE TO JUDGE (Motion #003). Ansari, I. View PDF
Oct 21, 2026 84 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN OPPOSITION TO MOTION (Motion #003). Ansari, I. View PDF
Oct 26, 2026 85 NOTICE OF MOTION (Motion #004). Davis, K. View PDF
Oct 26, 2026 86 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT (Motion #004). Davis, K. View PDF
Oct 29, 2026 87 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN OPPOSITION (Motion #004). Ansari, I. View PDF
Oct 30, 2026 88 DISCOVERY CONFERENCE NOTICE -FROM COURT. Court User View PDF
Oct 30, 2026 89 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF MOTION (Motion #004) — Affirmation of Drew Dixon. Davis, K. View PDF
Oct 30, 2026 90 EXHIBIT(S) (Motion #004) — December 2019 email thread. Davis, K. View PDF
Oct 30, 2026 91 AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF — Proposed Amicus Curiae Brief. Davis, K. View PDF
Attorneys
Imran H. Ansari
Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins, P.C.
for Russell Simmons
Plaintiff
Carla DiMare
Law Office of Carla DiMare, P.C.
for Russell Simmons
Plaintiff
Elizabeth A. McNamara
for Warner Brothers Discovery, Inc., Jane Doe Films, Kirby Dick, Amy Ziering
Civil Defense