Jay-Z’s legal team is pushing to dismiss a lawsuit accusing the rapper of raping a 13-year-old girl at a party following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, citing new reports from NBC News that reveal inconsistencies in the accuser’s ‘Jane Doe’ allegations.
The lawsuit, initially filed in October, targeted Sean “Diddy” Combs, accusing him of sexually assaulting the woman, now 38 and identified only as “Jane Doe.” On Sunday, the lawsuit was amended to include Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, with claims that he also participated in the alleged assault.
In a recent NBC News interview, Jane Doe described the event as a “catastrophic night,” alleging she was drugged and assaulted.
However, when questioned, she and her attorneys acknowledged discrepancies in her account. “I have made some mistakes,” she admitted.
Jane Doe Key Inconsistencies
- Father’s Role: Jane Doe claimed her father picked her up after the assault, but he reportedly does not recall this happening.
- Celebrity Encounter: She stated she spoke to Good Charlotte’s Benji Madden at the party, but Madden has confirmed he was touring in the Midwest that night.
- Event Location: Photos from the night in question show Carter and Combs at a different location than described by the plaintiff. Their whereabouts for the entire evening, however, remain unclear.
- Spiked Drink: Jane Doe said her drink was spiked, taken to a room where both Jay-Z and Diddy sexually assaulted her while another female celebrity watched.
Carter issued a scathing response, asserting, “Today’s investigative report proves this ‘attorney’ [Tony] Buzbee filed a false complaint against me in the pursuit of money and fame. This incident didn’t happen. True justice is coming. We fight FROM victory, not FOR victory. This was over before it began.”
Legal Pushback
Carter’s attorney, Alex Spiro, criticized the filing, calling it a “frivolous case” and demanding its dismissal. He stated, “It is stunning that a lawyer would file such a serious complaint without proper vetting and then exacerbate the situation by promoting this false narrative in the media.”
In a separate filing, Spiro argued that Jane Doe must either reveal her identity or withdraw the lawsuit, asserting that her “vague assertions of potential harm” do not justify anonymity. Carter has also previously claimed that Buzbee attempted to blackmail him, filing an anonymous lawsuit against the attorney.
Accuser’s Attorney Defends Case
In response, Buzbee told The Hollywood Reporter, “Jane Doe’s case was referred to our firm by another law firm, who vetted it prior to sending it to us. Our client remains fiercely adamant that what she has stated is true, to the best of her memory. Because we have interrogated her intensely, she has even agreed to submit to a polygraph. I’ve never had a client suggest that before.”
Buzbee also noted that the stress of the case has caused Jane Doe significant distress, including seizures and the need for medical attention. He emphasized his commitment to thoroughly vetting the claims and gathering corroborating evidence.
What’s Next For Jane Doe?
As both sides prepare for a legal battle, the case highlights the complexities of navigating high-profile allegations.
Jay-Z’s legal team is doubling down on efforts to have the lawsuit dismissed, while Buzbee insists on the veracity of his client’s claims.
