Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z has taken legal action against a woman who previously accused him of sexual assault but later withdrew her lawsuit, claiming she was coerced into making false allegations.
The rapper, whose real name is Shawn Carter, has filed a defamation lawsuit in a federal court in Alabama, alleging that the woman’s accusations were part of an “evil conspiracy” to extort money and damage his reputation. His suit also names the woman’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, and co-counsel David Fortney, accusing them of pressuring her to fabricate claims.
The original lawsuit, filed in October and refiled in December, alleged that Jay-Z and fellow rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs raped the woman when she was 13, after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. Both artists vehemently denied the accusations. However, in February, the woman withdrew her lawsuit, prompting Jay-Z’s legal team to push back with a defamation claim.
According to Jay-Z’s lawsuit, the woman admitted to his legal team that she was pressured into making the false allegations to strengthen a broader case against Combs and increase financial gains. The suit claims she told them, “Buzbee brought Jay-Z into it,” despite acknowledging that Jay-Z “did not sexually assault [her].”
The defamation action also highlights alleged inconsistencies in her story, including a reference to a celebrity who was supposedly present at the party but was actually performing in a different city that night. Additionally, her father reportedly contradicted her statement that he picked her up after the alleged assault.
Jay-Z argues that the accusations have not only damaged his reputation but have also resulted in the loss of business deals worth approximately $20 million per year for his company, Roc Nation. He also cites the emotional toll the situation has had on his family, particularly his children.
Meanwhile, Mr. Buzbee, who has gained international attention for multiple lawsuits against Diddy, denies any wrongdoing and insists his client stands by her original claims. In a statement, Buzbee accused Jay-Z’s legal team of attempting to intimidate the woman into retracting her allegations, calling the defamation lawsuit “without legal merit.”
Jay-Z’s legal battle underscores the high stakes and reputational damage that can arise from serious allegations, even when later withdrawn, as well as the ongoing controversy surrounding Mr. Buzbee’s high-profile cases.
