Jay-Z Takes Legal Action against Former Accuser and Her Lawyer Over Sexual Assault Claims
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Rapper Jay-Z has filed a defamation lawsuit against attorney Tony Buzbee, David Fortney, and their anonymous client over sexual assault allegations that were previously dropped. According to court documents from Alabama obtained by PEOPLE, the lawsuit was filed on Monday, March 3rd.
In the lawsuit, Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, has put forward three main causes of action: malicious prosecution, abuse of process, and civil conspiracy against all three defendants. Additionally, he has included a fourth cause of action, defamation, specifically against the anonymous accuser. Jay-Z is seeking assumed, actual, and punitive damages in this legal battle.
The rapper has vehemently denied the initial allegations of rape, stating that they were knowingly false and malicious. He further claims that the sexual assault suit was strategically timed to cause him maximum pain and suffering. The original lawsuit, filed on Oct. 20, 2024, alleged that Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulted a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000. The suit was voluntarily dismissed on Feb. 14.
In the recent filing on March 3, Jay-Z asserts that the prior lawsuit was based on false information provided by the Jane Doe and her legal representatives. He alleges that they attempted to extort money from him through false accusations and a demand letter. According to the filing, the anonymous accuser admitted to Jay-Z’s representatives that the assault did not occur and that Buzbee pushed her to fabricate the story for financial gain.
Responding to these claims, attorney Tony Buzbee issued a statement to PEOPLE on March 3, stating that the new case in Alabama mirrors the case filed in Los Angeles and lacks legal merit. He maintains that the anonymous accuser stands by her allegations and suggests that the quotes attributed to her in the lawsuit are fabricated. Buzbee views Jay-Z’s lawsuit as an attempt to intimidate and bully the accuser.
This legal battle follows Jay-Z’s initial filing against Buzbee in Los Angeles in December 2024, where he accused the attorney of civil extortion, defamation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The defamation claim from that case has been allowed to proceed to trial, while the extortion claim is likely to be dismissed. Jay-Z claims to have suffered significant financial losses and emotional distress due to the false allegations.
After the dismissal of the October lawsuit, Jay-Z announced on Roc Nation’s account that it was a victory for him. He expressed relief that the false accusations had been put to rest and reiterated the emotional toll it had taken on his family. Jay-Z and his wife Beyoncé have three children together, and he claims that the allegations caused trauma to his loved ones.
The legal proceedings are ongoing, with both parties presenting their arguments in court. Jay-Z seeks to clear his name and hold the accuser and her legal team accountable for what he deems as a malicious prosecution. As the case continues to unfold, the public awaits further developments in this high-profile dispute.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org for support.
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