Washington, US – December 9: Iconic rapper and music mogul Jay-Z, born Sean Carter, has been accused in a civil lawsuit of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2000. The lawsuit, filed in New York federal court by attorney Tony Buzbee on behalf of Jane Doe, has been met with strong denials from Carter, who dismissed the allegations as a “blackmail attempt.”
Details of the Allegations
The lawsuit claims the assault took place during an afterparty following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. According to the plaintiff, she was drugged with a spiked drink, felt “woozy” and “lightheaded,” and was then assaulted by both Combs and Carter. The plaintiff further alleges she was coerced into signing a non-disclosure agreement to silence her.
“Another celebrity stood by and watched as Combs and Carter took turns assaulting the minor,” the lawsuit alleges, adding that many others were present but did not intervene.
Jay-Z’s Response
In a statement released Sunday, Jay-Z vehemently denied the accusations, labeling them as baseless and describing Buzbee as a “fraud” exploiting victims for personal gain.
“You have made a terrible error in judgment thinking all ‘celebrities’ are the same,” Jay-Z stated. “We protect children; you seem to exploit people for personal gain. Only conspiracy theorists will believe these idiotic claims, which, if not for the seriousness of harm to kids, would be laughable.”
Jay-Z also vowed to fight the case without settling, promising to expose the motives behind the lawsuit “in a very public fashion.”
Context and Broader Implications
This lawsuit is an updated version of a previous filing that initially named only Sean “Diddy” Combs. Combs himself has been embroiled in a series of legal troubles, including a September federal indictment alleging his involvement in criminal activities to fulfill personal sexual gratification.
These allegations come as part of a broader wave of accountability in the entertainment industry, where powerful figures are increasingly being scrutinized and held accountable for alleged past misconduct.
The case against Jay-Z and Combs is still unfolding, and both the legal and public response will likely shape the discourse surrounding celebrity accountability and justice in such sensitive matters.