Life
Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, has been accused of rape in a civil lawsuit filed on Sunday. The anonymous plaintiff, identified only as “Jane Doe,” alleges that the assault occurred in 2000, when she was 13 years old, at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party. The lawsuit also names Sean “Diddy” Combs as a defendant.
Everything to know about the lawsuit against Jay-Z
The federal lawsuit, originally filed in October in the Southern District of New York, was refiled on Sunday to include Carter. Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the plaintiff, declined to comment on the matter.
Stern response from Jay-Z
Jay-Z vehemently denied the allegations in a statement, calling them “idiotic” and accusing Buzbee of unprofessional behavior. He questioned the motivation behind filing a civil lawsuit instead of a criminal complaint, suggesting that genuine victims of such heinous crimes would pursue justice through the criminal justice system.
Jay-Z expressed heartbreak for his family, particularly his children, who may face questions about the allegations. He emphasized his innocence and his commitment to protecting children.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment on whether the office is investigating the matter.
What is the Diddy connection to this?
This is not the first time Buzbee has filed lawsuits against Combs. In recent months, he has filed several lawsuits accusing Combs of assault and rape, all of which have withheld the names of the complainants. This is the first suit in which he has named another high-profile defendant alongside Combs.
Legal representatives for Combs have dismissed the lawsuits as “shameless publicity stunts” designed to extort money from celebrities. They maintain that Combs has never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone and expressed confidence in the judicial process to vindicate his innocence.
Combs himself is currently facing criminal charges in New York, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and other offenses. He is incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and is scheduled for trial in May 2025. Prosecutors have hinted at the possibility of additional charges in a superseding indictment.
Before the lawsuit was refiled, Buzbee had sent a letter to Carter’s legal team requesting mediation to resolve the matter. In response, Carter filed a lawsuit against the accuser’s attorneys.
The lawsuit alleges that the plaintiff, then a 13-year-old girl, was invited to an after-party by a limousine driver working for Combs. Upon arriving at the party, she was required to sign a nondisclosure agreement and was given a drink that made her feel disoriented.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and is filed under New York’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.
