Jay-Z’s lawyers challenge rapper’s inclusion in rape lawsuit after accuser’s TV interview
NEW YORK– NEW YORK (AP) — Jay-Zs Lawyers asked a judge on Wednesday to quickly withdraw the rapper from a lawsuit in which a woman claims she was sexually assaulted by Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs when she was 13.
The unidentified woman recently added Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, to her lawsuit against Combs in Manhattan federal court, alleging that she was assaulted by the singers in 2000 after Combs’ limousine driver gave her a ride offered to an MTV Video Music Afterparty with prizes.
In their lawsuit Wednesday, Jay-Z’s lawyers cited a recent television interview in which the woman acknowledged inconsistencies in her story.
The filing came before Combs appeared for a hearing in his criminal case. After attorneys discussed the evidentiary deadlines, prosecutors told Judge Arun Subramanian that new charges against the hip-hop mogul would require minimal new evidence to be shared among attorneys before a May trial.
In the criminal case, Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges against the Bad Boy Records founder forced and abused women for years with the help of employees and collaborators. Combs, who is in jail without bail for three months he hugged his lawyers and touched his heart while recognizing his children among the spectators.
In the civil case, one of several filed against him, the woman originally claimed she was raped by Combs at the after-party, but made no mention of Jay-Z.
Last Friday, NBC aired an interview in which she said she spoke to musicians Benji Madden and his brother at the party, and that her father picked her up after the alleged assault. NBC also reported that a rep for the Maddens said they were touring the Midwest during the VMAs, and her father said he doesn’t remember what a five-plus hour drive home would have been.
Jay-Z has said the article proves that Tony Buzbee, a personal injury attorney in Houston, filed a false complaint against him over money and fame. Attorney Teny R. Geragos, who represents Combs, has said the TV interview was part of the “beginning of the end of this shameful money grab.”
In the newly filed lawsuits, Jay-Z’s attorneys wrote that the allegations have caused “incalculable harm to Mr. Carter, his family, his companies, his employees and his estate.”
Buzzbee told The Associated Press via email that plaintiffs’ attorneys planned to respond to the latest filing in court.
“They continue to file baseless motions that violate the rules and have absolutely no merit,” Buzzbee said.
Buzbee announced his representation in October about 120 peoplemen and women, with allegations of sexual misconduct against Combs.
Jay-Z and Combs rose to fame in the 2000s, emerging as multi-talented entrepreneurs and two of the world’s richest rappers. Earlier this year, Forbes estimated Jay-Z’s net worth at $2.5 billion.
The artists have worked together over the years, with Jay-Z appearing on Combs’ debut album ‘No Way Out’ and Combs appearing on Jay-Z’s second album ‘In My Lifetime, Vol. 1.”