Jay-Z Accused of Rape in Lawsuit Filed in New York

Accusations Made Public

A lawsuit has been filed in New York accusing rapper and hip-hop multimillionaire mogul Jay-Z, who is also the husband of singer Beyonce, of participating in the rape of a 13-year-old girl at a party in 2000. The lawsuit claims that currently detained rapper Puff Daddy aka Sean Combs and an unnamed female celebrity were also in the room.

Jay-Z Denies Allegations

Jay-Z has vehemently hit back in social media posts saying that the allegation is a complete fabrication and an attempt at blackmail. The identity of the woman making the accusations, who would now be about 33 years old, has not been revealed.

Lawsuit Details

The anonymous accuser claims she was assaulted at a house party following the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) in New York, with an unnamed female celebrity present in the room. Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, called the lawsuit a “blackmail attempt” in a statement.

Combs Denies Allegations

Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is in jail awaiting trial on sex-trafficking and other charges filed in September, denied the latest accusation. The lawsuit, first filed in October, was amended on Sunday to add Mr. Carter as a defendant. The accuser, identified only as “Jane Doe,” is represented by Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee, who has filed several similar lawsuits against Mr. Combs. Mr. Combs is also due to face a criminal trial on May 5.

Accuser’s Account

According to the lawsuit, Jane Doe alleges that in 2000, when she was 13, a friend dropped her off at the VMAs at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan where she spoke to limousine drivers. She claims a limousine driver, said to be employed by Mr. Combs, told her she “fit what Diddy was looking for” and later drove her to a party at a white house.

Jay-Z’s Response

Mr. Carter addressed the allegations on social media, claiming, “My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a ‘lawyer’ named Tony Buzbee. What he calculated was that public scrutiny would push me 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!!”

Combs’s Legal Team

Mr. Combs’s legal team called the amended lawsuit “a shameless publicity stunt” and stated that the judicial process would prove his innocence. He currently faces 30 other lawsuits.

Lawsuit Seeks Damages

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, claiming Jane Doe still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Mr. Carter, who is married to Beyoncé and has three children, expressed concern for his family, stating, “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.”

Conclusion

On hearing of such allegations, many people will have strong feelings, but at the current time only the facts of the allegation are known, and a great deal would depend on witness statements by the two people who are alleged to have been eyewitnesses to the rape.

FAQs

* Who is the accuser?
+ The accuser is identified only as “Jane Doe” and claims she was 13 years old at the time of the alleged rape.
* Who is Jay-Z?
+ Jay-Z is a rapper and hip-hop multimillionaire mogul, who is also the husband of singer Beyoncé.
* Who is Sean “Diddy” Combs?
+ Sean “Diddy” Combs is a rapper and music producer who is currently in jail awaiting trial on sex-trafficking and other charges.
* What is the lawsuit seeking?
+ The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages, claiming Jane Doe still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

Sources: BBC, Variety, NBC.