Jay-Z sues sexual assault accuser and lawyer, says Roc Nation lost $20 million


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  • Jay-Z has filed a defamation lawsuit against the woman who accused him of sexual assault. He is also suing her attorneys, Tony Buzbee and David Fortney, following the dismissal of her case last month.
  • The woman alleged that Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs raped her at a 2000 MTV Video Music Awards after-party when she was 13 years old.
  • Jay-Z’s lawsuit argues that the allegations have damaged his reputation, affected his family and resulted in $20 million in lost business for Roc Nation.

Full Story

Jay-Z has filed a defamation lawsuit against the woman who accused him of sexual assault. The rapper is also suing her attorneys, Tony Buzbee and David Fortney, following the dismissal of her case last month.

In December 2024, the woman alleged that Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs raped her at a 2000 MTV Video Music Awards after-party when she was 13 years old. Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, has denied the allegations, calling them an attempt to blackmail him.

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The woman later admitted to inconsistencies in her claims. She also spoke to NBC News last December about her lawsuit.

Jay-Z’s response and lawsuit

After the woman voluntarily dismissed her lawsuit in February without explanation, Carter maintained his innocence. He posted a statement on social media, writing in part:

“The frivolous, fictitious, and appalling allegations have been dismissed. This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere. The fictional tale they created was laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims.”

Now, Carter is escalating his response. According to The New York Times, on Monday, he filed a defamation lawsuit in federal court in Alabama, where the woman lives. His lawsuit names her and her attorneys, Buzbee and Fortney, as defendants.

Jay-Z and Buzbee have been in a heated legal dispute since the original lawsuit was filed. Carter previously accused Buzbee of attempting to extort him. In turn, Buzbee sued Roc Nation, claiming Carter’s legal team pressured his clients to file frivolous lawsuits against him and his firm.

Buzbee’s claims and Carter’s losses

Buzbee alleges that Carter has repeatedly harassed and attempted to pay off the Jane Doe accuser.

In an Instagram post, Buzbee said the woman withdrew her case after experiencing harassment. He also stated that she suffers from seizures and other health issues.

Meanwhile, Carter’s lawsuit argues that the allegations have damaged his reputation, affected his family, and resulted in $20 million in lost business for Roc Nation.

Bast Bramhall (Video Editor) contributed to this report.
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Bias comparison

  • Media outlets on the left present Jay-Z's lawsuit as a response to alleged false accusations, emphasizing emotional distress and financial loss, framing the accuser's claims as malicious and opportunistic.
  • Media outlets in the center emphasize Jane Doe's alleged admissions of coercion and financial motive, portraying the lawsuit as a legal maneuver more than an emotional response.
  • Media outlets on the right highlight the narrative of Jay-Z's loss and the accuser's alleged inner conflict, reinforcing his position of victimhood while intensifying the claims against her attorneys.

Media landscape

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104 total sources

Key points from the Left

  • Jay-Z has filed a defamation lawsuit against an anonymous woman, claiming she admitted her previous allegations of rape were false for financial gain, according to his lawsuit in federal court in Alabama.
  • Carter's lawsuit alleges that the woman, identified as Jane Doe, was coerced by her attorney, Tony Buzbee, into pursuing false allegations to extract money.
  • In a declaration, Doe insisted that she stands by her claims against Carter after she withdrew her previous lawsuit, which Carter vigorously denies.

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Key points from the Center

  • Jay-Z has filed a defamation lawsuit against attorney Tony Buzbee, David Fortney and a Jane Doe regarding a dropped sexual assault suit.
  • The lawsuit claims that the initial allegations were knowingly false and intended to cause harm to Jay-Z, also known as Mr. Carter.
  • The accuser has reportedly admitted to Jay-Z's team that the allegations were untrue and that Buzbee influenced her actions.
  • The legal filing states that Buzbee motivated the Jane Doe to create false allegations for financial gain.

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Key points from the Right

  • Jay-Z has filed a lawsuit against Jane Doe and her attorneys, claiming her earlier accusations of sexual assault were false and malicious, demanding a jury trial and unspecified damages.
  • According to Jay-Z, Jane Doe has voluntarily admitted directly to his representatives that her sexual assault allegations were untrue.
  • Jay-Z alleges that the false accusations caused him to lose over $20 million and states there were inconsistencies in Doe's claims, who dropped her suit in February.
  • The lawsuit also accuses the attorneys of greed and claims that Jay-Z's team attempted to intimidate Jane Doe.

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