A lady who accused rappers Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting her when she was 13 at an awards present after-party has acknowledged sure inconsistencies in her story, whereas her lawyer mentioned he’ll proceed to vet her claims.
The unnamed lady described being pushed from Rochester, New York, to New York Metropolis for the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000 after which Combs’ limo driver providing her a experience to an after-party, NBC Information reported on Friday. She claimed she spoke with musicians Benji Madden and his brother on the get together, and her father picked her up after the alleged assault.
However a consultant of the Maddens confirmed to NBC that they have been on tour within the Midwest through the VMAs, whereas her father mentioned he doesn’t bear in mind the drive dwelling of greater than 5 hours. The lady’s good friend who reportedly drove her to the awards has since died, NBC reported.
The lady had first sued Combs, alleging she was raped at an after-party, after which amended the lawsuit Sunday to incorporate a brand new allegation that Jay-Z, whose authorized identify is Shawn Carter, additionally was on the get together and took part within the sexual assault.
Jay-Z mentioned in an announcement that the article proves Tony Buzbee, a private harm lawyer in Houston, filed a false criticism in opposition to him for cash and fame.
“This incident didn’t happen and yet he filed it in court and doubled down in the press,” he mentioned. “True Justice is coming. We fight FROM victory, not FOR victory. This was over before it began. This 1-800 lawyer doesn’t realize it yet, but, soon.”
Buzbee instructed The Related in an electronic mail that if somebody raises a brand new situation which didn’t beforehand exist, her authorized staff’s job is to proceed accumulating info and proof.
Jay-Z’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, requested the courtroom to dismiss the case, saying in an announcement, “It is stunning that a lawyer would not only file such a serious complaint without proper vetting, but would make things worse by further peddling this false story in the press.”
The lady admitted to creating “some mistakes” when recalling that evening, however mentioned she stands by her allegations.
The litigation is a part of a wave of sexual assault lawsuits levied in opposition to Combs because the hip-hop mogul stays in custody in New York awaiting trial on federal intercourse trafficking costs.
The unnamed lady mentioned that whereas she was within the limousine, she was requested to signal a nondisclosure doc. As soon as on the get together, the lawsuit mentioned, she took a drink that made her really feel “woozy and lightheaded” and went right into a bed room to lie down.
She mentioned Combs and Jay-Z then barged into the room, together with one other unnamed movie star, and raped her. The lady mentioned she ultimately escaped the room, fled the home and known as for a experience from a close-by gasoline station.
Jay-Z, a 24-time Grammy award successful rapper, producer and music mogul, anonymously sued Buzbee final month, alleging he was making an attempt to blackmail the rapper by threatening to make the rape allegation public if he didn’t comply with a authorized settlement. Jay-Z mentioned Buzbee despatched a letter to his lawyer showing to hunt a settlement, which had the “opposite effect” on him.
Buzbee beforehand mentioned the notion that he was making an attempt to blackmail Jay-Z is “stupid and laughable” and his letter merely sought confidential mediation within the litigation.
Buzbee introduced at a information convention in October that he represents some 120 folks, women and men, with allegations of sexual misconduct in opposition to Combs.
His agency, which has arrange a toll-free cellphone line for accusers, started submitting a wave of lawsuits in opposition to the hip-hop mogul a couple of weeks later.
Combs was denied bail a 3rd time final month. He has pleaded not responsible to costs he coerced and abused girls for years and faces trial in Could.
Attorneys for Combs didn’t instantly reply to emails looking for remark.
Jay-Z and Combs are a part of a era of hip-hop titans who rose to prominence within the 2000s, rising as wide-ranging entrepreneurs and two of the world’s wealthiest rappers. Earlier this yr, Forbes estimated Jay-Z’s web price to be $2.5 billion.
The artists have collaborated over time, with Jay-Z featured on Combs’ debut album, “No Way Out,” and Combs showing on Jay-Z’s sophomore album, “In My Lifetime, Vol. 1.”
Whereas steadily photographed collectively at occasions, in addition they have been enterprise opponents. Diddy launched his Dangerous Boy Data across the similar time Jay-Z launched his Roc-A-Fella report label.
