Jay-Z Is Pushing to Have His Accuser’s Name Made Public Amid Rape Lawsuit
In a recent lawsuit, a plaintiff has accused Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of raping her at the after party for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, when she was 13 years old. Lawyers for both men have pushed back against the allegation, and Jay-Z posted a statement denying any involvement. His lawyers also currently want to have the name of the accuser made public.
Jay-Z’s lawyers are pushing to have the name of his accuser in a recent lawsuit made public
In a civil complaint, the plaintiff alleges that she arrived at an after party, where she signed a non-disclosure agreement and consumed what she believes was a drugged drink. She alleges that Combs and Jay-Z later held her down and raped her while an unnamed female celebrity watched.
Jay-Z denied the claim. His lawyer, Alex Spiro, is now pushing to have the accuser’s name made public.
“Mr. Carter deserves to know the identity of the person who is effectively accusing him — in sensationalized, publicity-hunting fashion — of criminal conduct, demanding massive financial compensation, and tarnishing a reputation earned over decades,” Spiro wrote in the filing (per People), adding, “That campaign was cynical and calculated to force payment of an exorbitant sum of money — Defendant would have to pay X millions of dollars irrespective of the truth, or else.”
Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the plaintiff, said she should be allowed to proceed anonymously because she was a minor at the time of the alleged assault. She also worries about backlash for coming forward against two famous men.
Jay-Z has denied the accusations made in the lawsuit
In a statement, Jay-Z wrote about the impact the allegations will have on his children. He also claimed that the lawsuit is only concerned with money.
“My only heartbreak is for my family,” he said. “My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people.”
He viewed himself and his children as the victims in the lawsuit.
The rapper added, “I mourn yet another loss of innocence.”
He filed a suit against attorney Tony Buzbee
Before Buzbee publicly named Jay-Z, the latter sued Buzbee under the name John Doe, claiming the attorney was trying to “extort exorbitant sums” by making false allegations. Jay-Z’s lawyers claimed he “faces a gun to his head” with the allegations.
“We won’t get bogged down in a silly sideshow that tries to make the lawyers the focus of what are very serious allegations brought by a courageous woman,” Buzbee wrote, per The New York Times.
He also described the lawsuit against him as “utterly frivolous.” When Buzbee named Jay-Z in the lawsuit, the latter’s lawyers revealed that he was the one who filed the suit against Buzbee.
How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
