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Jay-Z has filed a defamation lawsuit against a woman who previously accused him of sexual assault, along with her attorneys, Tony Buzbee and David Fortney. The lawsuit alleges that the accusations were false and intended to cause harm to his reputation while attempting to extract a financial settlement.
The initial lawsuit was filed by the woman, identified as Jane Doe, in November 2023. She claimed that Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs sexually assaulted her when she was 13 years old at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000. However, Doe voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit in February 2024, leading Jay-Z to take legal action against her and her legal team.
In the defamation lawsuit, Jay-Z argues that Doe and her attorneys knowingly made false accusations against him. He claims that her legal team pursued the case despite a lack of evidence, intending to pressure him into a financial settlement. Jay-Z’s attorneys assert that the accusations were made with “actual malice,” a legal standard requiring proof that false statements were made intentionally or with reckless disregard for the truth.
Attorney Tony Buzbee has responded by denying that Doe has recanted her allegations. He maintains that she stands by her claims and suggests that Jay-Z’s defamation lawsuit is an attempt to silence and intimidate her. Buzbee has also indicated that he may seek a restraining order against Jay-Z, citing concerns about harassment.
Jane Doe has stated that she withdrew her original lawsuit out of fear of intimidation and retaliation, rather than because her allegations were false. She continues to assert that the events she described in her initial lawsuit occurred as stated.
Legal experts note that defamation lawsuits involving high-profile figures can be difficult to win. Jay-Z must prove that Doe and her attorneys knowingly spread false information with the intent to harm him. Such lawsuits are often filed by public figures not only to seek damages but also to publicly challenge accusations they believe to be untrue.
Jay-Z contends that the false allegations have damaged his reputation and caused significant financial losses, including negative effects on his business ventures. His lawsuit seeks compensation for these damages and aims to hold Doe and her attorneys accountable for what he describes as an effort to extort money from him.
As the case progresses, both sides remain firm in their positions, with Jay-Z denying all allegations and Jane Doe maintaining that her claims are valid. The lawsuit is expected to draw widespread attention as it moves through the legal system.
