Jay-Z Claims Lawyer Representing Rape Accuser Blackmailed Him: Complaint

Jay-Z filed a lawsuit in a Los Angeles court against Tony Buzbee – a Texas-based attorney representing the woman who claims the rapper and Sean “Diddy” Combs sexually assaulted her at an MTV Video Music afterparty in 2000 Awards raped when she was 13 years old.

In his complaint, Jay-Z accuses Buzbee of defamation and “naked blackmail.”

Jay-Z, who filed the complaint under his given name Shawn Carter, claims Buzbee sent him false sexual abuse allegations against him along with written demands.

“In the context of Buzbee’s previous statements in which he threatened to file criminal charges against and publicly shame a ‘long list’ of celebrities, the message of the extortion demands was clear: Pay up or face criminal investigation and extraordinary reputational damage . says the complaint obtained by PEOPLE.

The amended complaint, filed Dec. 20, alleges that the defendants — Buzbee and his eponymous law firm — gave Jay-Z a two-week notice to commit to “confidential mediation.”

The lawsuit also accuses Buzbee of defaming Jay-Z and claims the high-profile attorney made several false statements in recent months.

“Starting in October 2024, Buzbee spoke out on every news platform that sought to confront him, threatening that his company had “a long list of names” of people in the entertainment industry whom he accused of “horrible behavior” and who were “criminally prosecuted.” should be pursued.” and placed under (sic) the prison,’” the lawsuit states. “And Buzbee then gleefully announced to the world that one name on his ‘long list’ was Mr. Carter, claiming he had engaged in criminal sexual assault.”

The woman who accused Jay-Z of abuse and filed the complaint under the name Jane Doe claims she was raped by both music industry titans while an unnamed female celebrity watched.

Jay-Z has denied the allegations and posted a lengthy statement targeting Buzbee on his X account.

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“It made me want to expose you VERY publicly for cheating,” Jay-Z wrote. “I WILL NOT GIVE YOU A RED PENNY!!”

Combs, who is currently behind bars preparing for trial on federal sex crimes charges, has also denied the allegations after being named in several lawsuits.

A spokesman for Buzbee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Buzbee previously announced that he represents hundreds of clients who have accused Combs of sexual abuse, including an accuser who claims he was sexually abused when he was nine years old while auditioning at a studio in New York City.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.