Hip-hop legends Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs are facing serious allegations as a federal lawsuit accuses them of assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2000. The case, filed in the Southern District of New York, has sparked widespread attention across the entertainment industry.
The accuser, identified only as "Jane Doe," claims the incident occurred after an MTV Video Music Awards after-party. Initially filed in October with Diddy as the sole defendant, the lawsuit was amended to include Jay-Z on Sunday.
According to court documents, the plaintiff alleges she was approached by a limousine driver claiming to work for Diddy, who reportedly told her she “fit what Diddy was looking for.” She was taken to a house party, given a drink that left her disoriented, and then assaulted by both Jay-Z and Diddy in a private room while a female celebrity allegedly looked on.
Doe states she escaped the situation and later contacted her father from a gas station. Now an adult, she is seeking damages under New York’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.
Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, issued a strong denial, describing the allegations as "heinous" and "idiotic." In a statement shared with NBC News, he urged the accuser to file criminal charges if the claims are true.
“These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away,” Jay-Z said. He also criticized the plaintiff’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, accusing him of using the case for financial gain.
In response, Jay-Z filed a lawsuit against Buzbee and his legal team, alleging unprofessional conduct and questioning the motive behind the accusations.
Diddy, already facing federal charges for racketeering and trafficking, remains in custody at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. His legal team has dismissed the lawsuit as a “shameless publicity stunt” aimed at extracting settlements.
“Mr. Combs has full confidence in the judicial process,” his representatives stated. “The truth will prevail: Mr. Combs never assaulted or trafficked anyone.”
This case marks the latest in a series of lawsuits brought against Diddy by attorney Tony Buzbee, with most complainants choosing to remain anonymous. However, this is the first case to implicate another high-profile celebrity.
Jay-Z expressed concern over the toll the allegations have taken on his family, particularly his children. “My wife and I will have to explain the cruelty and greed of people,” he shared, describing the ordeal as deeply distressing for his loved ones.
