Rapper and entrepreneur Shawn Carter, known globally as Jay-Z, has been named in a civil lawsuit accusing him of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2000 alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs. The allegations, brought forth by an anonymous plaintiff identified as “Jane Doe,” claim the assault occurred during an after-party following the MTV Video Music Awards.
The lawsuit, initially filed in October in the Southern District of New York with Combs as the sole defendant, was amended and refiled on Sunday to include Carter. Texas attorney Tony Buzbee, representing the plaintiff, declined to comment on the case.
Allegations and Legal Response
Doe alleges that she was driven to the party by a limousine driver who claimed to work for Combs. She reportedly signed a nondisclosure agreement upon arrival at the venue, a white house with a U-shaped driveway, before entering a space described in the lawsuit as filled with celebrities and illicit drug use. After consuming a drink that left her feeling incapacitated, she went to a room to rest, where the alleged assault occurred.
In a statement issued Sunday evening, Carter denied the allegations, calling them “idiotic” and accusing Buzbee of engaging in unprofessional conduct. “These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!” Carter said. “Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.”
Combs’ legal team similarly dismissed the allegations as “shameless publicity stunts” aimed at extracting settlements. “Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process,” a statement from his representatives read. “In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone—man or woman, adult or minor.”
Legal and Criminal Proceedings
This lawsuit marks the first time Buzbee has included another high-profile defendant alongside Combs, who is already facing federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and other crimes. Combs is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after multiple bail denials. His criminal trial is scheduled for May 5, with prosecutors signaling the possibility of additional charges in a superseding indictment.
Carter also revealed that he received a letter from Buzbee requesting mediation prior to the lawsuit’s amendment. In response, Carter initiated a legal action against the attorneys involved, describing their actions as a “terrible error in judgment.” He added, “I’m not from your world. I’m a young man who made it out of the projects of Brooklyn. We don’t play these types of games. We protect children.”
Broader Implications
The claims come amid a series of lawsuits against Combs, many of which involve anonymous plaintiffs alleging sexual misconduct. As the cases unfold, they raise questions about accountability, the potential misuse of civil lawsuits, and the broader systemic challenges in addressing allegations against high-profile individuals.