Simmons, Wife In Libel Rap

MAY 22--Music and fashion mogul Russell Simmons and his wife have filed a libel action against the publishers of In Touch magazine, but details of how the pair was allegedly maligned by the celebrity weekly are not contained in a court filing. In a New York State Supreme Court summons, Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons name Bauer Publishing and In Touch's two top editors as defendants in what is described as 'an action for libel.' However, the court file does not contain a corresponding complaint, which would normally detail allegations made by the plaintiff. The summons, a copy of which you'll find below, notes that the pair is seeking damages of at least $250,000. Brad Rose, a lawyer for the couple, refused to answer any questions about the May 17 summons or whether a lawsuit had been drafted. In Touch officials have been served with the summons, but have not received the complaint, so editors are in the dark about their purported transgressions. (2 pages)