Jay-Z’s Allegations in Amended Civil Suit Tied to 2000 VMAs
Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has addressed allegations made in an amended civil lawsuit accusing him and Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl at an after-party following the 2000 Video Music Awards.[1] The lawsuit, filed on Sunday, December 8, 2024, has prompted a legal response from Carter.[2]
The lawsuit alleges that the plaintiff, then 13 years old, was noticed by a limousine driver who invited her to an after-party where Combs and Carter assaulted her.[3] It also accuses an unnamed celebrity of witnessing the incident without intervening.[4]
Jay-Z Demands Plaintiff’s Identity or Case Dismissal
On Monday, Carter filed a motion requesting the plaintiff’s anonymity be lifted. He argued that either her identity should be disclosed or the case should be dismissed entirely.[5]
“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,” the motion states.[6]
Anonymity in Court: Legal Arguments
While most lawsuits in the series of complaints were dismissed due to plaintiffs’ unwillingness to be named, the court ruled that the then-13-year-old plaintiff in this case demonstrated sufficient cause to remain anonymous.[7]
Jay-Z’s legal team is pushing back, emphasizing the right to face one’s accuser and suggesting that anonymity allows for undue damage to reputations without accountability.[8]
Allegations and Buzbee’s “Extortionate Campaign”
Jay-Z also accused Texas attorney Tony Buzbee, representing the plaintiff, of orchestrating what he described as an “extortionate campaign” against him.[9] The motion follows Buzbee’s history of filing multiple anonymous complaints in October, many of which did not progress due to plaintiffs refusing to reveal their identities.[10]
Jay-Z’s Bold Denial of Allegations
Jay-Z issued a bold rebuttal to attorney Tony Buzbee’s recent legal filing and called it a calculated attempt at extortion.[11] According to Hov, Buzbee sent a “demand letter” to his lawyer prior to the filing, which he referred to as a “blackmail attempt.”[12]
“My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a ‘lawyer’ named Tony Buzbee,” Jay-Z wrote in his statement. “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!!”[13]
The music mogul also questioned why the case was filed as a civil lawsuit rather than a criminal one, arguing that if serious crimes were committed, a criminal filing would be more appropriate. “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,” he stated.[14]
Jay-Z further expressed concern about the impact on his family and acknowledged that his children will likely be exposed to the allegations and may face questions from their peers. “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 said.[15]
In response, Buzbee told ABC News that the legal filing “speaks for itself” and described the matter as “very serious” and one that will be addressed in court.[16] Buzbee emphasized his commitment to his clients and also stated he would not be “bullied or intimidated” via his personal Instagram.[17] “People will see through this effort to discredit me and my clients, and the truth will be revealed,” he wrote, adding, “Sunlight is the best disinfectant and I am quite certain the sun is coming.”[18]
Jay-Z’s Complete Statement
Read Hov’s entire statement posted on Roc Nation’s X account below:[19]
My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a “lawyer” named Tony Buzbee.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?These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.This lawyer, who I have done a bit of research on, seems to have a pattern of these type of theatrics!I have no idea how you have come to be such a deplorable human Mr. Buzbee, but I promise you I have seen your kind many times over. I’m more than prepared to deal with your type. You claim to be a marine?! Marines are known for their valor, you have neither honor nor dignity.My only heartbreak is for my family. 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. I mourn yet another loss of innocence. Children should not have to endure such at their young age. It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit.My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.You have made a terrible error in judgement thinking that all “celebrities” are the same. I’m not from your world. I’m a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don’t play these types of games.We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain.Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable.I look forward to showing you just how different I am.
[1]https://abcnews.go.com/US/jay-diddy-accused-raping-13-year-girl-civil/story?id=116584539
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] https://www.businessinsider.com/read-jay-z-shawn-carter-full-response-diddy-rape-accusation-2024-12
[12] Ibid.
[13] https://x.com/RocNation/status/1865917852542247358
[14] Ibid.
[15] Ibid.
[16] https://abcnews.go.com/US/jay-diddy-accused-raping-13-year-girl-civil/story?id=116584539
[17] Ibid.
[18] Ibid.
[19] https://x.com/RocNation/status/1865917852542247358
