Jay-Z has been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in a 2000 incident that also involved shamed hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs.
NBC News reports that a federal lawsuit has been filed against the rapper (real name Shawn Carter) by an anonymous party named "Jane Doe," claiming the sexual assault happened at an afterparty held following the MTV Video Music Awards.
The suit was originally filed back in October by Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, listing Combs as the defendant, however, on Sunday (December 8) it was amended and refiled to include Carter's name.
"Another celebrity stood by and watched as Combs and Carter took turns assaulting the minor," the lawsuit reads, alleging a third unnamed celebrity was witness to the crime.
Soon after the story broke on Sunday, Carter issued a statement through his company Roc Nation denying his involvement in the assault.
"My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a 'lawyer' named Tony Buzbee," wrote Carter. "What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!"
"These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?" the statement continued. "These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case."
"My only heartbreak is for my family," he concluded. "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."
In a statement attorney Buzbee said, "The pleading speaks for itself. This is a very serious matter that will be litigated in court."
He also commented on the harassment he has already received from the case, saying, "People will see through this effort to discredit me and my clients and the truth will be revealed. I also won’t allow anyone to scare my clients into silence. Sunlight is the best disinfectant and I am quite certain the sun is coming."
Legal representatives for Combs also commented on the matter, maintaining their argument that he is innocent of all charges.
"This amended complaint and the recent extortion lawsuit against Mr. Buzbee exposes his barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are: shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs," it reads.
Adding, "As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone -- man or woman, adult or minor."
Read Jay-Z's full statement below.
— Roc Nation (@RocNation) December 9, 2024