Jay-Z Demands Unmasking of Rape Accuser or Dismissal of Case | Entertainment & Arts News
Jay-Z has requested that the identity of a woman accusing him of raping her when she was 13 be disclosed, or for the case to be dismissed.
The accuser, known only as “Jane Doe” (a legal term in the U.S. for anonymity), claims that the assault occurred after the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000, allegedly involving Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, and Combs both deny the allegations.
In a court filing obtained by Sky’s U.S. news partner NBC News, Jay-Z’s lawyer Alex Spiro contended that the decision to file a lawsuit using the name “Jane Doe” was “inconsistent with a genuine effort to ascertain the truth of these allegations versus seeking a quick, extortionate settlement”.
Mr. Spiro stated that Jay-Z was “respectfully seeking either the dismissal of the allegations or the disclosure of the plaintiff’s identity”.
He continued: “It is not in line with justice, fairness, or the principles governing federal proceedings for the plaintiff and her counsel to tarnish [the] defendant’s good name in ways designed to fuel media coverage and thus cause maximum public relations harm while the essential fact of [the] plaintiff’s identity remains completely obscured.”
Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee, who claims to represent 120 accusers in cases against Combs, responded to Mr. Spiro’s motion during an NBC News interview on Monday.
Mr. Buzbee remarked: “Anyone suggesting that a demand letter, especially the one I sent, is extortion or blackmail, is misguided.”
“Such demand letters are routine across the United States, and attempting to deflect attention from the alleged perpetrator by attacking me will not succeed and will not intimidate us.”
The federal lawsuit against Jay-Z and Combs was re-filed in the Southern District of New York on Sunday. It originally only named Combs.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was named alongside Carter in the lawsuit. Pic: AP
According to NBC News, the lawsuit claims the girl was dropped off at the VMAs at Radio City Music Hall by a friend – she did not have a ticket and approached various limo drivers to try to gain access to the show or after-party.
One driver allegedly informed Doe that he worked for Combs and she “fit what Diddy was looking for”. The driver later picked her up, according to the lawsuit, and after 20 minutes, she was dropped off at a white house. The girl claims she was then made to sign a document she believed to be a non-disclosure agreement.
She was supposedly offered a drink that left her feeling “woozy, lightheaded and in need of lying down”.
Shortly after, the suit alleges, both Combs and Jay-Z entered the room, with Combs reportedly telling her: “You are ready to party!”
At that moment, she claims, Jay-Z stripped her of her clothes, restrained her, and raped her while Combs and an unnamed celebrity woman looked on. She also alleges that Combs raped her while Jay-Z and the woman observed.
After the alleged attack, she “grabbed her clothes” and fled to the nearest gas station, where she called her father.
She is seeking unspecified damages.
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What you need to know about Jay-Z allegations
Jay-Z responded to the allegations in a detailed statement sent to NBC News.
He stated: “These allegations are abhorrent that I urge you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Anyone who would commit such a crime against a minor should be imprisoned, would you not agree?
“These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.”
Jay-Z and Beyonce at the premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King on Monday. Pic: Reuters
He added: “My only sorrow is for my family. My wife and I will now have to explain to our children, one of whom is at an age where her peers will likely see the news and question the nature of these allegations, about the cruelty and avarice of individuals. I grieve yet another loss of innocence.
“Only your community of conspiracy theorists and pseudoscience will find credence in the ridiculous claims against me that, if not for the severity of the harm to children involved, would be laughable,” he continued.
Jay-Z has been married to Beyonce since 2008 after their paths crossed around the year 2000. They share three children.
Read more:
What is Sean Combs accused of?
Jay-Z and Beyonce show united front after rape claim
In the meantime, Combs faces federal charges in New York for racketeering, sex trafficking, and various other offenses. He is currently in Brooklyn custody and set to stand trial on 5 May.
Combs’ legal representatives have denied the allegations of rape, sexual assault, and misconduct, stating previously: “Mr. Combs and his legal team have complete confidence in the facts, their legal defenses, and the integrity of the judicial process.
“In court, the truth will emerge: that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone—adult or minor, male or female.”
