American rapper Jay Z has publicly refuted allegations of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000, as claimed in an amended lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs. The accuser, identified as “Jane Doe,” alleges that the incident occurred at an after-party following the 2000 Video Music Awards.
According to the lawsuit, Jane Doe claims she felt disoriented after consuming a drink at the party, wandered into a bedroom, and was assaulted first by Jay Z, then by Diddy. She alleges she managed to escape after striking Diddy and fleeing the scene.
Following the public disclosure of the lawsuit, Roc Nation, Jay Z’s label, issued a strongly worded statement on X (formerly Twitter), calling out Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing the accuser. “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,” the statement read.
Jay Z also addressed the gravity of the allegations, stating, “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.”
In a separate statement to CNN, Jay Z expressed concern over the impact of the allegations on his 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,” he said.
This lawsuit builds upon an earlier case filed against Diddy, who was arrested in September 2024 on charges of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and racketeering, among others. Diddy has pleaded not guilty, and his criminal trial is scheduled to begin on May 5, 2025.
