Jay-Z and Diddy Named in Federal Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault
Lawsuit Alleges Assault by Jay-Z and Diddy at 2000 MTV VMAs After-Party
Jay-Z and Diddy Accused of Sexual Assault in Federal Lawsuit
NEW YORK — NBC News is reporting, Rapper Jay-Z and music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs have been named in a federal lawsuit alleging they sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000. The suit was filed Sunday in the Southern District of New York, amending a prior lawsuit that initially named only Combs.
The plaintiff, identified as "Jane Doe," claims the assault occurred after she was transported to the party by a limousine driver who suggested she "fit what Diddy was looking for." According to the lawsuit, Doe was given a drink at the party that left her disoriented before being taken to a private room where the alleged assault took place.
Lawsuit Details
The lawsuit alleges that Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, raped the girl while Combs and another female celebrity looked on. It further claims that Combs later assaulted her as Carter and the woman watched. The plaintiff says she managed to leave the scene and called her father from a gas station. She is seeking unspecified damages under New York’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.
The lawsuit was filed by attorney Tony Buzbee, who has represented other plaintiffs in sexual assault cases against Combs. This case marks the first time Carter has been named as a defendant.
Responses from Jay-Z and Diddy
In a statement to NBC News, Carter vehemently denied the allegations, calling them "heinous" and accusing the plaintiff’s attorney of attempting to blackmail him with a demand letter before filing the suit.
"My lawyer received a blackmail attempt... from a 'lawyer' named Tony Buzbee," Carter said. "What he had calculated was that the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. No sir... I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!"
Combs has repeatedly denied all allegations of misconduct in previous lawsuits. He is currently in federal custody facing unrelated charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking, with his trial scheduled for May 2025. Combs' representatives have not responded to the latest allegations.
Legal Proceedings
Attorney Tony Buzbee, who filed the lawsuit, has represented multiple plaintiffs accusing Combs of sexual assault in recent months. This case marks the first time Carter has been named in a legal action of this nature.
The allegations add to growing scrutiny over high-profile figures in the entertainment industry. Both Carter and Combs deny the claims, and the case is expected to draw significant attention as legal proceedings unfold.