Rapper Jay-Z has denied a rape allegation made against him and claims it is part of an extortion attempt. The woman who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 when she was 13, amended her lawsuit to include a new allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault.
Jay-Z released a statement saying the allegations are “idiotic” and “heinous in nature”. He revealed he had anonymously sued the woman’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, alleging he was trying to blackmail him by threatening to make the rape allegation public if he didn’t agree to a legal settlement. Jay-Z said the letter from Buzbee actually made him want to expose his lawyer for fraud.
The lawsuit is part of a wave of sexual assault lawsuits levied against Combs as he awaits trial on federal sex trafficking charges. The woman who filed the lawsuit claims she was invited to a party after attending the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, where she was asked to sign a nondisclosure document. She said she took a drink that made her feel “woozy and lightheaded” and was then raped by Combs and Jay-Z.
Jay-Z’s lawyer has asked a judge to require his accuser, Jane Doe, to reveal her identity if she wants to continue the lawsuit. The lawyer claims the woman hasn’t provided any evidence to justify her anonymity and that her “vague assertions fall short of the stringent requirements” under the law.
Buzbee’s firm represents over 120 people with allegations of sexual misconduct against Combs. Jay-Z has challenged Buzbee to seek criminal charges and expressed sympathy for true victims of sexual assault, while criticizing those who use lawsuits as a means to extort money from celebrities.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/jayz-rape-allegation-sean-combs-diddy-mtv-b3d1f6c2e40e151870dc01221ea699a0